Upset at ban from Maori TV

One of New Zealand's longest serving political leaders has been denied the chance to debate his position on Maori TV.

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party leader Michael Appleby is making a bid for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat in the coming by-election - but was barred from participating in the candidates' debate on Native Affairs on June 3.

Producers of Maori TV's flagship current affairs programme told Mr Appleby, 66, that he could not take part in the debate as he did not have Maori credibility in the electorate.

"They refused to have me," says Mr Appleby, who has been leader of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party since its inception in 1996.

"It's a disgrace. They only wanted the Maori candidates from the major parties to appear.

"They also said I couldn't participate because the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party didn't stand in the last by-election. Well, they shouldn't be looking at the past. We should be looking to the future.

"We're a united New Zealand, and we shouldn't still be fighting each other. It really saddens me."

Mr Appleby took the case to the Human Rights Commission on Thursday, and says the commission was sympathetic.

He says during the meeting, commission representatives mentioned the court injuction sought by Jim Anderton and Peter Dunne against TV3 in 2005, after the minor party leaders were barred from the Leaders Debate.

"I am considering a judicial review," he says.

"But I don't want to do that to Maori TV."

The Times-Age contacted Maori TV for comment, but a representative could not be reached before deadline.

Despite being non-Maori, Mr Appleby, a human rights lawyer from Wellington, says he was urged by his party members and his Maori friends to stand for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat.

"It's not a race issue - legalising cannabis is an issue that affects all New Zealanders," he says.

"Everyone's scared of being arrested for smoking cannabis, or for having their house turned upside down by the cops.

"If young people get a cannabis-related conviction, it ruins their lives. They can't travel overseas, they can't get a job, or they could get sacked from their jobs."

Mr Appleby said legalising cannabis in New Zealand is an issue that affects Maori in particular.

"Maori youth are targeted a lot more by the police for smoking cannabis," he says.

"Right now, there are over 2000 people in our prisons on cannabis charges, most of whom are Maori. If cannabis were legal for people aged 18 and over, our prison population would decrease by a third.

"I have defended many people in the Masterton District Court - and the majority of those people were Maori on cannabis charges."

Mr Appleby says legalising cannabis would result in massive cost savings for Wairarapa - in the form of cheaper fuel (using hempseed oil), cheaper clothing made from hemp, jobs in crop harvesting and people being able to grow their own marijuana.

"There's a lot of poverty in the Wairarapa," says Mr Appleby, who uses medicinal marijuana for various health issues.

"Legalising cannabis will put money in everyone's pocket.

"Especially with people being able to grow their own, and not having to spend $30 to $40 a tinny every week."

Since its establishment, Mr Appleby and the Aoteaora Legalise Cannabis Party has pushed for the successful legalisation of industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana in the form of Satavix.

It is still campaigning for the legalisation of marijuana for recreational use for those aged 18 and over.

Mr Appleby is now embarking on a 10-day tour of the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate area, and will be visiting Masterton.