Press Release - Ngäti Pükenga Iwi ki Tauranga
For general release to all media organisations
01 September 2005

BRASH TALKS TRASH TO GRAB VOTES

After failing to attract enough swinging voters with the National tax policy Don Brash is rapidly polarising all of society with his inflammatory statements about Maori aimed at grabbing votes from mainstream New Zealanders. Ngati Pukenga iwi leaders from Hauraki and Tauranga have come out in support of the Mäori Party's stance on coalition partners. Rehua Smallman chairman of Ngäti Pükenga iwi and Shane Ashby another Ngati Pukenga leader are angered at Dr. Brash's latest comments, which are divisive and threaten to condemn Maori to the levels of depravation seen in third world countries. "Do you blame Täriana? Both Labour and National are as bad as each other, and have made their positions crystal clear" said Mr. Smallman. "Mäori bashing equals votes." Any ordinary Kiwi can see through this rubbish."

The iwi believe that all of the good work put in over the last 20 years to build a better more tolerant society is now in danger of being destroyed by power hungry politicians. "Mäori have been getting a hammering over the last year and a half since Don Brash's Örewa speech. It's like, when in doubt pull out the race card because we know Maori are an easy target." said Mr. Ashby. "Brash's latest speech, and Labour's smear campaign of untruths (in reference to Labour's slogan, 'A vote for the Mäori Party is a vote for National') is a desperate ploy and our people aren't fooled by it." said Mr. Ashby. "We're being pushed into a corner, and that's not good for anyone. All New Zealanders need to vote for what is right, and not allow the politicians to prey on peoples greed, fears and prejudices."

ENDS

Te Rünanga o Ngäti Pükenga ki Tauranga Iwi Inc Soc

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