Incoming Labour MP Shane Jones, touted as the thinking man's successor to John Tamihere, says Maori women are missing out on the power and influence that Pakeha women have gained.
Mr Tamihere threw away any chance of a return to the Cabinet after attacking his colleagues and alleging the Beehive was run by a lesbian feminist cabal.
Mr Jones said: "I don't subscribe to the notion that the party is driven by the forces that John suggested.
"But let's face it, the 70s and 80s saw a lot of social revolution in New Zealand and I think the 'rights of women' revolution has yielded benefits Maori are yet to emulate, in terms of power and influence in mainstream political and judicial life."
Mr Jones said he saw no need to fight for the rights of Homer Simpson-type blokes to crash on the couch after work with a beer without being disturbed by wife and family, as Mr Tamihere had argued.
Mr Jones said his biggest concern was absentee fathers, particularly Maori.
"We need to tell George Hawkins to get more police officers to go and find the Maori fathers, to get them home to look after their kids."
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
More power to Maori women
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