PM urges 'rounded-view of Maori' on UN man

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she hopes UN representative Rodolfo Stavenhagen will leave New Zealand will a comprehensive view of Maori issues.

Professor Stavenhagen is here on behalf of the UN to investigate human rights and in particular the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

His visit follows the finding by the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Cerd) in favour of a Maori complaint against the legislation.

Prof Stavenhagen heard Maori views at a hui in Parihaka at the weekend and is due to meet Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen later this week.

Helen Clark said today Prof Stavenhagen would be discussing a wide range of relationships Maori had with Government.

"I hope he will go away with a well-rounded view of Maoridom in New Zealand," she said on National Radio. I don't think he's come just to focus on a single issue."

Prof Stavenhagen, of Mexico, heard at the weekend a raft of concerns Maori have, with the Foreshore and Seabed Act high on the list.

The media were excluded from the speeches he heard from the people of Parihaka, but Maori representatives said later there had been a focus on the legislation.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said the UN representative had heard "some blood good stuff" at Saturday's session.

He said Prof Stavenhagen had heard about the Government's "construction of a lie that Maori are going to stop people going on to the beach".

Prof Stavenhagen told reporters his report to the UN committee, due in April, would cover all areas of human rights.

Miss Clark said his visit was "an opportunity for everyone to put their views... but I remain confident we came down with a solution which is in the best interests of all New Zealanders."

- NZPA