The minister's next scene begins

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter

The scene: An ornate committee room at Parliament.

The star attraction: Struggling Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.

The rest of the cast: The Maori Affairs select committee, officials from Maori development ministry Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) and broadcasting funding agency Te Mangai Paho (TMP), and many journalists.

Excerpts from the minister's opening statement: "I think engagement with Maori has to be a key part of the next 12 months.

"Keeping the Maori perspective at the forefront, it's about being at the coalface, strengthening the regions, and listening and responding. What is the way forward for us? It is about strong Maori communities. It is about Maori communities in partnership. It is about them taking a lead partnership role, and it is about creating positive opportunities for our people."

The grilling: Opposition MPs question a State Services Commission review of TPK.

The review followed a scathing Treasury report into TMP - which TPK monitors - and incorrect advice given to Horomia to answer parliamentary questions which prompted an apology to the minister from TPK boss Leith Comer.

Horomia answers a question on the review: "Let's be clear on this. The ministry's no different to other ministries. There are reviews done on other ministries and performance measures, and certainly I hope to have, and I will have, quite naturally be the minister involved in the results of the review and the framework."

In another critical scene, silence descends as Winston Peters bores into Horomia.

Peters asks if the minister thinks the State Services Commission has carried out its responsibilities towards his ministry.

Horomia: "In general, yes."

Peters: "Well, if they have been, how come they are having a review?"

Horomia: A mumbled reply.

Peters: "If your staff are all trained and skilled ... how come the head of your department's made an apology to you?"

Horomia, waking up: "I think there's nothing wrong with apologies. There's slippages in any organisation, Maori or non-Maori, and there's a lot of it around in this country that's not mentioned at all."

The comedy

Labour MP Mita Ririnui asks in Maori about the Treaty issue around oil and gas reserves.

Horomia starts to reply in Maori but Peters seeks a translation for the benefit of the media. A translation is made.

Peters: "Can we have a second translation on that as well?"

The room erupts in laughter. The curtain closes on the Parekura Horomia Show for the day.