Biculturalism heart of Alliance policy

The Alliance wants a centre-left government to give priority to Maori language, broadcasting and education in the first 100 days of a new Parliament.

Outlining a 30-step plan yesterday, Alliance deputy leader Sandra Lee said: "This is a plan I want to take with me into a new Alliance-Labour government on behalf of our people. And I have the support of my Alliance colleagues to do so."

Ms Lee, who is also the Mana Motuhake leader, said the challenge for a new government was to provide a political and constitutional framework that created a truly bicultural nation.

Central to that aim was the creation of a Maori education authority, a coordinated Maori broadcasting system and a central Maori council.

The policy included direct funding for Maori health, television and radio, violence prevention and action to relieve Maori teacher shortages.

The policy was released in the Maori Affairs room in Parliament, where Ms Lee took a swipe at Act's Maori policy release in Auckland recently.

"We do not need campaign launches on top of One Tree Hill, designed to alienate and further marginalise Maori."