Students' award a joke, says Laws

A group of students have been honoured for their conduct during a stoush with Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws. Photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws says an award given to a group of Otaki primary school pupils for standing up to him is a joke.

The seven girls, aged 11-13, were yesterday given certificates by Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.

In August they wrote to Mr Laws in Maori to say they were annoyed he was opposed to adding an 'h' to Wanganui.

Mr Laws responded by suggesting their teacher should be sacked and the students should learn to control their anger.

He said they should address the "real issues of Maoridom' before he would take their views seriously.

Mr de Bres yesterday presented the girls with certificates and said they acted "with real dignity and calm and quietly stood up for what you thought when dealing with such rubbish from Wanganui's mayor", the Dominion Post reported.

Mr Laws today called for the sacking of Mr de Bres, calling him an "unelected, liberal stooge" and the award a joke.

"He has no interest in mediating between the races - he has every interest in advancing his politically correct and biased views."

Mr Laws cited polls conducted by the New Zealand Herald, YahooXtra and TV3, following his stoush with the students, in which he received the majority of public support.

The Geographic Board has recommended the 'h' be restored but the final decision lies with Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson.

- NZPA