Hui leaders 'plain ignorant' for snubbing urban Maori, says Jackson

Iwi leaders have been labelled "ignorant" by the chairman of the urban Maori authorities for excluding the group from a leaders' hui.

National Urban Maori Authority head Willie Jackson has lashed out after urban Maori were excluded from a forum tasked with unifying Maori.

More than 80 per cent of Maori live in urban centres.

Around 60 leaders gathered at Wellington's Pipitea Marae yesterday for the three day hui.

Mr Jackson was insulted to learn of the meeting, the second iwi leaders have held in five months, on the day it was to begin.

"This is nonsense. Urban Maori have been recognised in legislation, we represent a major percentage of Maori and we have had no contact from them, it is plain ignorant."

Mr Jackson, head of South Auckland's Radio Waatea which provides Maori news throughout the country, was also stunned by a decision to ban media from the event.

"Not only are the needs of urban Maori being ignored, but all Maori are being kept in the dark about the reason and agenda of the meeting."

The hui followed a meeting in Kaikoura, organised by Ngai Tahu chairman Mark Solomon, last November. That one was also off limits to the media.

This week's event is hosted by Wellington based Te Atiawa.

Spokesman Peter Love said delegates voted for the media ban.

A press conference would be held at the end of the hui, but media could not cover any of the key presentations, which included Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, and political commentator Colin James.

Mr Love said it was a gathering of "traditional Maori iwi based runanga and trusts who have come together to discuss the future of Maoridom". Urban Maori authorities were not invited because they were not a traditional Maori group.

"Must we phone them every time we have a meeting? The answer is no."

The Herald understands other presentations would cover Maori concerns on changes to the Resource Management Act, and Maori response to any bird flu pandemic.

Developing further financial co-operation among iwi, and the Treaty of Waitangi claims process would also be discussed.

It is understood some leaders were opposed to Mr Horomia's attendance, with two walking out during his presentation.

Mr Horomia said he was disappointed the meeting was off limits to the media.

"Maori leadership need to ensure it maintains transparency."

Maori MP Shane Jones said the gathering was an attempt to develop greater co-operation among Maori, but one that could only happen with the support of the tribal beneficiaries.

"It is disappointing when these iwi leaders meet that they refuse to share with the public and their members the purpose and agenda of their meeting."