Maori Party wants action on loan shark 'parasites'

The Maori Party wants tax abolished for those earning less than US$25,000 and legislation to rein in loan sharks.

Speaking in Henderson yesterday, Te Tai Tokerau candidate Hone Harawira said: "We talked to people in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei and Henderson. Each community had their stories highlighting the growth in poverty in the region - growing food banks, rising prices, low wages, pawn shops and loan sharks."

The Maori Party would abolish tax for those earning less than US$25,000, and introduce legislation to target "dodgy" loan sharks.

"In many Maori communities, the only growing businesses in town are loan sharks and second-hand shops selling the goods they take. These operators are parasites that thrive off the misery of the poor."

Mr Harawira said he wanted a limit on the rate of interest operators could charge above the 90-day bank bill rate, and called for a tightening on laws governing lenders.

"Talk to any whanau in my community. You will hear stories of these guys going round door-knocking offering money. Our people see the money and the chance for a break from poverty. They don't see the big interest charges that will follow."

He lashed out at Labour policies he said had failed to improve the lot of many Northland Maori.

"Labour and National are offering tax cuts for middle and upper-income earners. What about those that need it the most?"

Te Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels said it was rubbish that Maori health was poor and their incomes were low in the North.

He said Maori lagged behind the mainstream, but there had been significant improvement in the past four years.