What was cut from the Children's Commissioner's report

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia objected to statistics on Maori violence in the Children's Commissioner's report on James Whakaruru's killing because they were not blamed on Pakeha "colonisation."

She also objected to a reference to the Treaty of Waitangi as "a cultural issue" in the draft report by the commissioner Roger McClay.

Mr McClay spoke out yesterday against interference from Mrs Turia and the Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, echoing complaints from the head of Women's Refuge, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait.

Yesterday, Mrs Turia showed the Herald a letter she wrote to Mr McClay in which she complained that the statistics on violence ought to have been in the context of "colonisation and its social and economic effects on whanau."

And the treaty, she said, "should be referred to as a foundation for every act of the state in relationship to its treaty partner."

The statistics were removed in Mr McClay's final report and the treaty was referred to in the terms sought by Mrs Turia, the driving force behind the inclusion of the treaty clause in health legislation now before Parliament.

Prime Minister Helen Clark last night labelled her minister's approach as reflecting "inexperience."

Asked if statistics on Maori violence needed to be presented in the context of colonisation, Helen Clark said: "No, obviously not. But it is also reflecting a certain inexperience in they way these issues are handled.

"This is a pretty new minister.

"It's very important that ministers respect the autonomy of non-governmental organisations and statutory officers."

Mr McClay told an Auckland audience: "I have been told to 'tone things down' and be 'more culturally sensitive'."

Later, he said he had agreed to the request to remove the statistics "because I didn't want them to become the focal point of media coverage of the James Whakaruru report.

"It was not a big deal for me."

He did not feel bullied by Mrs Turia and the discussion had been reasonably amicable.

The thrust of the report was to find out what departments of state did or did not do that might have helped him.

Now that the statistics - compiled by the Ministry of Maori development, Te Puni Kokiri - had been widely distributed, he said, "We've achieved both objectives."

Other objections had been raised about his suggestion that the report be released on James' birthday, which Mrs Turia called culturally insensitive.

And there were strenuous objections from Mr Horomia about the report cover having a photograph of the dead boy on it.

Mr McClay said: "I got a barrage. I don't know what he was on about. He kept using the word 'mate,' Maori for dead. I don't know if it's culturally insensitive to investigate the death of a Maori boy but if it is, tough. I'm going to keep on doing it."

Mrs Turia said her discussions with Mr McClay had been amicable and he had not raised objections before yesterday. She defended her request to have the statistics removed, saying they were not relevant to the report.

"This wasn't about all Maori families who were abusing their children. This report was about identification of the system's failure."

Helen Clark said Tariana Turia was a "very strong advocate for prevention of domestic violence."

WHAT WAS CUT FROM THE REPORT

The Victims

* Maori women aged 15-24 are seven times more likely than non-Maori women to be taken to hospital as a result of an assault. - Health Commission, 1994

* Maori children are nearly four times more likely than non-Maori children to be taken to hospital as a result of deliberately inflicted harm. - Health Commission, 1998

* In 1999, 7936 Maori women and children used refuge services compared to 8535 non-Maori women and children. - National Council of Independent Women's Refuges, 1999

* 42 per cent of emotional abuse, neglect, physical and sexual abuse cases concerned Maori children. - CYPFS, 1997

The Perpetrators

* 24 per cent of all people charged under the Domestic Violence Act were Maori. - Courts Department, 1995-99

* 41 per cent of men convicted of assaulting women were Maori. - Courts Department, 1997

* 43 per cent of people convicted of assaulting children were Maori. - Courts Department, 1997