8. Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti) Link to this
to the Minister of Maori Affairs
Does he stand by his statement “I have a responsibility to represent the views of Māori people”?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Minister of Māori Affairs) Link to this
Yes, absolutely, unlike the previous Minister of Māori Affairs, who ignored the foreshore and seabed, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Māori seats, and the Māori flag, and who failed to deliver social and economic benefits—
Mr SPEAKERThe question asked only whether the Minister stood by his statement. It did not actually ask why, and I think we have heard sufficient.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
Does he, as the Minister of Māori Affairs, believe that establishing a Māori statutory board to advise the Auckland Council on policy matters is a good enough replacement for dedicated Māori seats?
Hon Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. We had the benefit of hearing that supplementary question ahead of the primary question, which allowed me to judge it. I ask you—
There will not be interjection. A point of order is being heard, and there will not be interjection. I ask the Minister to come directly to the point of order, please.
My point of order is that the supplementary question that has been asked does not follow at all from the primary question that was asked.
I will ask the member to repeat his question, and to take care that it does. The primary question asked whether the Minister stood by his statement: “I have a responsibility to represent the views of Māori people”. With that primary question in mind, I ask the member to repeat his supplementary question.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
Does he, as the Minister of Māori Affairs, believe that establishing a Māori statutory board to advise the Auckland Council on policy matters is a good enough replacement for dedicated Māori seats?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
Absolutely not. I have attended a hui held by the local tangata whenua, and I still support Māori being at the top table. This has been voted down by Cabinet, but I still support it.
Hon Tau HenareHow has the Minister worked with the Government to allow the voice of Māori to be heard in the review of the Foreshore and Seabed Act?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I have been working closely with the Attorney-General to set up the panel to review the Foreshore and Seabed Act. It had 21 hui—public meetings across the country—to allow New Zealanders, including Māori, to have their say. This is in contrast to the previous Government, whose Prime Minister preferred to meet with sheep rather than hear the voice of 40,000 New Zealanders who marched on Parliament.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
Has he as Minister of Māori Affairs seen a press release from the Māori Party welcoming a report that shows that local government authorities work more effectively when they have Māori representation; if so, has he shown it to the Minister of Local Government and the Prime Minister, and why is he voting with the Government?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I voted against taking away those Māori seats, but I will still fight for the tangata whenua to have those seats restored through another avenue. There is a possibility, but at least I am working with the people.
Carmel SepuloniDoes he as Minister of Māori Affairs support the decision of the Government to remove guaranteed Māori representation from the boards of polytechnics; if so, how does that represent the views of Māori?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
We are putting forward today a Supplementary Order Paper to ensure that there is Māori representation on those boards.
Why is he going around the country indicating support for some models of Māori representation on boards of polytechs, while at the same time supporting a Government measure to remove Māori representation from the boards of polytechs?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I do not think the member heard my previous answer. I do not support the measure. We have a Supplementary Order Paper asking for Māori representation.
Hon Shane JonesDoes he believe that having a flag referred to by some as “Hone’s flag” hoisted upon us is a good enough alternative to having proper representation in New Zealand’s largest city and, indeed, in polytechs? What does he plan to do to remedy his failings to date?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
It matters not what I believe. Eighty percent of Māori who were canvassed in 1,200 submissions wanted to have that flag as their flag.