Tainui Waka Alliance seeks more testicular fortitude from Labour’s Maori men

9 April 2004

Media Statement
For immediate use

The Tainui Waka Alliance applauds the three Maori MPs who have stood up against their Prime Minister and the rest of the Labour caucus over the foreshore and seabed issue.

The Tainui Waka Alliance includes Waikato-Tainui, Hauraki, Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Maniapoto - the four main iwi that whakapapa to (descend from) the Tainui canoe. It provides a united voice for the tribes on regional or significant national issues.

Alliance spokesperson Tukoroirangi Morgan says that Nanaia Mahuta, Tariana Turia, and Georgina Beyer should be commended for having the guts to stick to their principles.

“Apart from these women and Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere, we don’t know what our Maori MPs are thinking on this extremely important issue,” Mr Morgan said.

“The Tainui Waka Alliance may not agree with Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere’s position on this issue, but at least he has got one and is not afraid to articulate it.

“We wait to see if the rest of Labour’s Maori male MPs have the same testicular fortitude as John and those three Maori women”, Mr Morgan said.

Meanwhile the Tainui Waka Alliance has rejected the rehashed foreshore and seabed bill and says it will never support the arbitrary extinguishment, or confiscation, of property rights.

Tukoroirangi Morgan said the Government’s plan prevents Maori from being able to fully test in the courts what titles they may, or may not, have in the foreshore and seabed. This is a denial of natural justice.

“The courts should’ve been allowed to execute due process. If the result was unpalatable to the Government then it should’ve sat down with Maori and negotiated its way to a compromise that would satisfy all New Zealanders.

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