NZ First blasts 'plastic Maori'

By Richard Knight

New Zealand First will demand better cultural sensitivity and practice from the department charged by the Government with ensuring Maori needs and concerns are met.

The party's Maori policy includes conducting a cultural audit of Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development).

The NZ First Maori affairs spokesman, Tutekawa Wyllie, says too many academics have too much influence in the department.

"It is top heavy with plastic Maori and those with degrees who are big on talk but leave a lot to be desired on Maori lore.

"I want to see it get back to where tikanga [customs] play an equal role. If you walk in the office now and say, 'Tena koe,' the answer would more than likely be, 'Oh, he's not here'."

However, Maori Affairs Minister Tau Henare was scathing in his reaction to the NZ First policy.

"There's nothing there for Maori. What worries me is that part of their policy is support for a national referendum on the decriminalisation of marijuana. What the hell is that doing there?"

Mr Wyllie said marijuana was a health issue which needed attention because of the high number of Maori users. "Let's decriminalise it, but not legalise it. The police have told me that too many resources are used on addressing the issue.

"Another policy we are pushing is smoke-free marae. If any marae want funding from the $6 million marae development fund they have to go smoke-free."

Other police points include:

* Allowing fair and equitable compensation in Treaty of Waitangi claims.

* Promoting and assisting whanau and community economic development.

* Expanding the community wage to allow businesses to offer apprenticeships and other training schemes.