Tamihere rounds on Maori Party and 'separatists'

Labour MP John Tamihere has attacked the Maori Party and put the boot into Maori for seeking "preferential entitlements".

The recently sidelined MP followed aspects of National's Don Brash's "state of the nation" speech to the Orewa Rotary club before Waitangi Day last year.

Speaking to the Waitakere Rotary Club at the Trusts Stadium last night, Mr Tamihere pushed his party's recent strong economic performance while launching into the fledgling Maori Party.

"The rise of the Maori Party is unfortunate and frustrating for politicians like myself," he said.

"Frustrating because the party is led by very well off, very senior and very articulate Maori educationalists, academics and the new elite around the Treaty of Waitangi - chequebooks."

He believed the party would be a magnet for the variant elements within Maoridom.

"I am pleased all the separatists now have a party to join, but we now must see it for what it is: "The biggest duping exercise carried out on Maori by Maori this century."

He called for all New Zealanders to move forward together and warned about the dangers of separation.

"The treaty of Waitangi is to us ... what the Declaration of Independence was to the Americans and the Magna Carta was to the United Kingdom.

"We are mindful about the tyranny of the majority. Equally we must be wary of an oppressive minority, whether it is based on race or chequebook diplomacy.

"We can no longer tolerate Maori merely screaming the treaty and believing they deserve preferential entitlements."

He also attacked Maori Party policy which promoted a return to tribalism and division between Maori and Pakeha.

"I am proud of my Maori heritage, as I am proud of my Pakeha heritage, and unlike the number of Maori only in the Maori Party [and there are none], I will ensure my ancestry will be honoured and respected on both sides of that genealogy."

Mr Tamihere also urged greater understanding in accepting the growing numbers of immigrants. He compared the benefits and growth now enjoyed through the large New Zealand based Pacific Island community as an example of unfounded fears that existed in the 1960s and 70s.

"Let's judge people not on their creed or colour, what they wear or what they eat, but rather what they can contribute to making this very special country a lot more special."