Political correctness threatens to derail Waitangi Day
The National Party’s calling for Helen Clark and northern Maori to resolve their differences, so Waitangi Day
celebrations aren’t plagued by ‘massive protests’.
“Titewhai Harawira and Ngapuhi can not be allowed to hijack our national day and hold it to ransom,” says National Party
leader Bill English.
Members of the Ngapuhi tribe are threatening an ‘upfront challenge’ on Waitangi Day unless their concerns about the new
prison at Ngawha are addressed by way of a meeting with Helen Clark.
“Ngapuhi have had the same chance as any other citizen, or group, to have their grievances heard.
“They have followed the legal process and lost their case - they should accept that result,” Mr English says.
“This is an extraordinarily disappointing development, given the close relationship between Labour and the Maori voters
it courted at the last election,” says Mr English.
“The dignity of our National Day is at stake and the blame for any disruption should be laid at Helen Clark’s feet,
who’s raised expectations that Maori will get special deals from her Government.
“Veteran activist Titewhai Harawira says Waitangi Day is not the day to discuss Ngapuhi business and I have to agree.
“There were warnings about this action as far back as November, but the Government’s clearly at a loss on how to deal
with it,” observes Mr English.
“Maori objections to the prison on the grounds that a ‘taniwha’ lived near-by were properly dismissed by the Appeal
Court in December
“It’s time this group and others realised Waitangi Day’s the celebration of our cultural togetherness,” he says.
“There’s only one law in New Zealand, that means there’s just one standard of citizenship, so the same rules must apply
to all,” Mr English says.