Waatea News Update

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Blue brown coalition possible without Orewa Don

Look forward to a blue-brown coalition now that Don Brash is no longer National's leader.

That's the response of Labour list MP Shane Jones to Dr Brash's sudden resignation yesterday.

Mr Jones says Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has been cordial to the National Party, but Dr Brash was a block to her teaming up.

He says expect to see the Maori Party MPs cosying up to the major opposition party

“The Maori Party MPs have stated, and Tariana has said it on their behalf, some sort of association with National is definitely deliverable in her books. I think that’s pathetic and I think our Maori voters, once they fully wake up to that, they’ll send the Maori Party in a similar direction to which Don Brash has gone,” Jones says.

He says Don Brash's position on race relations was out of step with where New Zealand should be headed, and he won't be missed.

TPK $7M CONSULTANT SPEND GETS OPPOSITION RILED

National list MP Georgina te Heuheu says the Ministry for Maori Development's spending on consultants is over the top.

A select committee financial review has revealed Te Puni Kokiri spent $7 million on consultants over the past year, on top of its $26 million salary bill.

Mrs te Heuheu says that's a lot for a small organisation.

“There's 7 million floating around where TPK is getting outside consultants to help them do a whole range of things. On the one hand that’s not a huge amount but on another hand it is, and maybe that $7m is money iwi groups could use to build homes for our people,” te Heuheu says.

She says the spending indicates a ministry with high staff turnover which can't manage its workload.

CAPTAIN WIKI KEY TO KIWI CHANCES

If New Zealand is to retain the tri nations rugby league title, it will have a lot to do with the performance of its most senior player, Ruben Wiki.

That's the view of former Kiwi captain Ritchie Barnett.

The squad takes on Australia in Sydney tomorrow night, and hope for a repeat of last year, when they embarrassed the Kangaroos 24 nil.

Mr Barnett says as both captain and the Kiwis' most capped test player, Wiki will play a major role in the outcome.

He says with his Samoan and Maori whakapapa, Wiki is able to get something extra from his team mates.

“Ruben doesn’t talk a lot but he creates this great family atmosphere between the Pacific Islanders, the Maoris or whoever it may be. The younger kids just respect him immensely, and he makes those Polynesian boys feel real at home, and I think that’s the key,” Barnett says.

TE HEUHEU ACKNOWLEDGES BRASH CONTRIBUTION

National list MP, Georgina Te Heuheu says the party owes a debt of gratitude to outgoing leader Don Brash.

Mrs Te Heuheu says while she had her differences with Dr Brash over Maori policy, he was able to bring the party back from the electoral savaging it received in 2002.

She say he was a leader for the times.

He did a great job in 2005. He can be very proud of that. Ultimately the individuals in a party come and go, but the values of a political party, they go on,” te Heuheu says.

Dr Brash also won plaudits from Maori Party president Whatarangi Winiata, who says despite his public rhetoric on race relations, the National Party leader was always polite and open to argument in private.

But Labour list MP Shane Jones says Dr Brash caused great damage to race relations, and he'll be shedding no tears over his departure.

HOROMIA DEFENDS MAORI MINISTRY

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura says Te Puni Kokiri's attempts to upskill its employees is money well spent.

The department was criticised this week by National MPs for spending almost $7million this year on contractors, and for the quarter of a million dollars it spent on overseas travel and courses for staff overseas.

Mr Horomia says the Maori ministry should give its staff the same career development opportunities as mainstream departments enjoy.

“I'm a strong supporter of skilling people in international skills, because that’s where our markets are, that’s where the future is for Maori, and the days of jut having Pakeha do that or having agents do that are over, We’ve got to be able to do that too,” Horomia says.

MAORI PROGRAMMES NEEDED TO TACKLE VIOLENCE

Green Party MP Sue Bradford says she wants to see more support for Maori anti violence programmes.

Maori social service providers have expressed concerns about the lack of tikanga Maori in many programmes, and many iwi are now developing their own programmes.

Ms Bradford says tackling violence in society is a complex issue, and its needs a wide range of responses which acknowledge cultural differences.

“In our history it’s been all too common that the white social welfare worker has come into the Maori family and tried to help but is often seen as a tool of the state coming to oppress the family rather than as someone who can help. I think the more tikanga Maori is used in these programmes, the more effective they will be,” Bradford says.

Sue Bradford's anti-smacking bill has won the support of the social services select committee and will be put to the vote in Parliament in the New Year.

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