Category: Te Pati Maori

Source: Te Pati Maori

Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi.

“This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“Seymour thinks it is inappropriate for Pharmac to consider the Treaty, I say it is inappropriate for a racist to decide the Treaty’s place in the health sector.”

“He has admitted that there was no proof that considering the Treaty was leading to bad health outcomes.”

“This announcement is nothing more than a racist dog whistle. He is letting his supporters know that he is doing his real job – erasing Māori rights and whitewashing Aotearoa.”

“David Seymour couldn’t care less that Māori die 7 years earlier than the rest of Aotearoa.”

“We are more likely to die from cancer and preventable illnesses but are the least likely to receive medical treatment.”

“If David Seymour is willing to turn a blind eye to data because it doesn’t serve his anti-Tiriti agenda, then he is unfit to serve as a Minister. People’s lives and oranga are at stake.”

“Our health sector should be guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the document that consents to this government’s existence. Our health sector should not be guided by the leader of a party who received 8% of the vote.” Said Ngarewa-Packer.

Source: Te Pati Maori

Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation.

“Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in prisons. There is no denying that our criminal justice system is institutionally racist and unfit for purpose in Aotearoa,” said spokesperson for justice, Tākuta Ferris.

“Māori suffer unequal outcomes at every level of the criminal justice system. Despite being only 20% of the total population, we are half of the prison population. Three Strikes perpetuates punishment, not justice.”

“With Three Strikes, Māori and Pasifika received over 50% of the strikes, 63% of those with a second strike were Māori, and 82% of people who received a third strike sentence were Māori.”

“Policy needs to be informed by evidence. That evidence shows that three strikes neither reduces crime nor assists with rehabilitation. To date, the government have failed to provide any evidence to the contrary.”

“We cannot imprison poverty and trauma out of our society. Intelligent policy, early intervention, and rehabilitation are essential for creating a just society. Punishment is not justice.”

“Justice in Aotearoa can only work when tangata whenua assert our tino rangatiratanga to oversee our own tikanga-based models of restorative justice.”

“If the government’s goal is to put more Māori, Pacific Islanders, and poor people in prison, this bill will succeed. It is not a bill that will reduce crime in this country,” said Ferris.

Source: Te Pati Maori

The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks.

“This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.

“Their solution to the housing crisis is threatening renters with a homelessness crisis.”

“The RTA Bill is just another example of the government prioritising the haves over the have nots.”

“This government has committed to giving $3 billion worth of tax cuts to already wealthy landlords – this is more than the value of all Treaty settlements combined.”

“At the same time, they are halting social housing projects, getting rid of first home buyer grants, scrapping regulations for property managers, and making it easier to evict people from their homes.”

“The shortage of new housing, poor quality of existing Māori housing, and the difficulties Māori face in affording rent or home ownership have been long-standing issues for many years.”

“It is evident that they only care about lining their own pockets, and the pockets of their rich mates. They do not care about renters, they do not care about Māori, and they do not care about their obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

“Access to stable housing is a fundamental right for tangata whenua in Aotearoa, ensuring they are not left vulnerable to the whims of landlords.”

“Te Pāti Māori will commit to building more social housing and introduce a capital gains tax to reflect our view that housing is a right, not a business.”

Source: Te Pati Maori

“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey Costello, apologise for her choice to deliberately withhold information under the Official Information Act.

“What we continue to witness is a government that is so deliberate in its destruction that it simply doesn’t care. They don’t give a flying toss about process, about judicial rulings, about the advice they’re given, and about being transparent.

“My office has also submitted requests for information to Minister Costello under the Official Information Act and by Written Questions. The Minister’s office was entirely dismissive, lacking in depth, and arrogantly conceited in their carelessness about being held accountable.

“Smoke reforms stopped by this Minister were rushed and passed through urgency. The Minister again deliberately withheld information, failing to disclose a $46 billion economic benefit by 2050. She is also on the record for lying about pausing tax increases for tobacco.

“This government needs to come clean. They are playing with the intergenerational loss of life and of whakapapa. This demands robust scrutiny.

“I am writing to the Ombudsman’s office to ask that a thorough investigation be launched into the Minister’s responses to all requests for information under the Official Information Act.

“Our people demand more than a slap on the hand and an apology. We must continue to be assured that this government is no longer enabled to take process and law for a ride at their free will of destruction,” said Ngarewa-Packer.

Source: Te Pati Maori

Without warning or discussion, the Whānau Ora commissioning agencies were recently told they must retender for their contracts.

“The Minister for Whānau Ora, Tama Potaka needs to provide evidence and a copy of their policy changes and rationale, then sit down to consult with the board of Whānau Ora.” Says co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“It is a costly and intensive process for both the government and those submitting. There is nothing to be achieved from this.”

“How can the Minister rationalise this decision without any consultation?”

“This government believes they have the democratic mandate to do whatever they like – with no warning – especially when it comes to Māori rights and well-being.”

“Transparency is needed to understand exactly what is going on with the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency that so many whānau have come to rely on, internally and externally.”

“There are structured opportunities for review of investment plans and outcomes already in place. This does not just impact the commissioning agencies it creates uncertainty for iwi and Māori frontline providers at a time when many already face uncertainty with Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki contracting changes.”

“Whānau Ora stands as a model that has consistently demonstrated the highest social return on investment.”

“Despite its proven effectiveness, the government fails to provide any viable alternative model and instead continues to pursue a narrow-minded anti-Māori agenda.”

Source: Te Pati Maori

The government’s failure to invest in flood protection and emergency relief will be felt for generations to come says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Te Tai Rāwhiti, Tākuta Ferris.

“It was only three months ago that councils were calling for the government to help invest in flood protection. Cyclone Gabrielle should have been a wakeup call, but this government has continued to drag its feet, and is now leaving the people of Te Tai Rāwhiti to fend for themselves.

“Te Tai Rāwhiti is still suffering from Cyclone Gabrielle. People are still homeless, whānau are still mourning. This has only made last week’s floods more devasting” said Ferris.

“Central and local government need to accept responsibility for failing to invest in infrastructure and flood protection, and for failing to listen to the community who understand their river and their environment.

“We need to be future proofing our communities for generations to come. It should be the governments utmost priority.

“Aotearoa was rocked by two ‘once per century’ weather events in as many weeks last year. These floods are not a one-off occurrence” said Ferris.

“Our leaders should be out on the ground taking care of our people during times of crisis. Whānau who have lost their homes and belongings need certainty that our government will meet all their needs whether they are insured or not.

“I want to mihi to Te Poho o Rāwiri and other marae who stepped up on behalf of their communities.

“Our marae are always the first to open their doors during times of crisis and provide emergency response centres for the community. Yet we are often the last to receive support when all is said and done” Ferris said.

After lobbying from Te Pāti Māori, the previous government set aside $75 million to relocate marae and homes on whenua Māori impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. But Ferris says this funding is “too little too late” as this process, which was supposed to begin in October last year, continues to face hurdles.

“More than eight months after the buyout of other homes started, tangata whenua are still having to negotiate the future of their marae and their homes.

“How many more floods will we have dealt with by the time we finally receive that initial support? The people of Te Tai Rāwhiti do not need ‘thoughts and prayers’ – they need material support” Ferris said.

Source: Te Pati Maori

Mema Paremata mō te Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, says the government is subscribing the Rotorua Housing Crisis to a privatisation fast-track. The comments come after 100-homes have been placed on hold whilst Kāinga Ora conduct a review.

“With a quick text message to one of their rich mates, this government has ensured that safe and affordable housing will remain out of reach for our most vulnerable whānau in Rotorua,” said MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi.

“The Minister for Housing should be ashamed of himself for ordering his former National colleague to write a damning report on Kāinga Ora based on dodgy evidence. This is a fast track to privatisation, houselessness and homelessness.

“What we are seeing in Rotorua is the real-world-impact of this biased report which commands this government to palm off responsibility to house our vulnerable. More of our whānau will end up homeless as a result of privatisation. They are letting business shape housing strategy.

“The Prime Minister has said time and again that the government is working to increase the supply of housing. This news shows they are full of it – actions speak louder than words.

“If this government were serious about solving the housing crisis, they would commit to building more homes than the last lot, not less.

“This government cares more about their voter base of rich landlords than they do about the people who are actually struggling.

“They made a choice to give landlords $3 billion, and they are making a choice to build less social housing to wash their hands of the responsibility of ensuring every New Zealander is homed, fed and healthy.”

Source: Te Pati Maori

Te Pāti Māori are demanding that the Māori Development Minister move quickly to prevent a financial restructure announced by Whakaata Māori yesterday.

“Minister Potaka must immediately intervene and recommit funding to Whakaata Māori. A 25% reduction is cutting Whakaata Māori at their knees; we cannot accept that,” said broadcast spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris.

“For too long, Māori media has been inequitably funded. The last government set aside a temporary fix; we are demanding that this government make an enduring commitment.

“Whakaata Māori has not had an increase in operational funding since 2008. Despite that, their commitment to Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori is unwavering. The content produced by Whakaata Māori is a vital tool to preserve and retain our language, tikanga, and kōrero tuku iho.

“Whakaata Māori broadcast almost 50 hours of non-stop live content for the Kura Tuarua Kapa Haka competition last week. It is the same broadcast where the messages from our taiohi were made loud and clear, and the Minister himself pledged to fulfil the aspirations of te iwi Māori.

“It appears the Minister is already falling short of that pledge.

“Failing to intervene and provide a solution relegates the Minister to being nothing but a puppet to the coalition government, ceding his sovereignty at the expense of our own storytelling, language revitalisation, and the livelihoods of the Whakaata Māori kaihoe,” said Ferris.

Source: Te Pati Maori

Te Pāti Māori stand with the people of Kanaky who are fighting for their independence and their lives against oppressive French occupation.

The colonisation of the Pacific relies on the manufactured disconnection of Aotearoa from our Pasifika whanaunga. The moana does not separate us, it connects us.

Just as our whakapapa is entwined with the Kanak people so is our Mana Motuhake.

Colonisation and genocide is happening in the Pacific right now.

Aotearoa will not have freedom until Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa is free.

Free Kanaky. Free Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.

Source: Te Pati Maori

The recent attacks on Te Pāti Māori and its MP’s are part of a continuing narrative of attack on all matters Māori.

If we could respond to baseless inuendo we would. If there is any evidence then show us so we have a reason to engage in a conversation.

The fact of the matter is, as usual Māori are being used as a scapegoat to cover up and deflect from what is really going on in this country. This Coalition Government has been brought hook, line and sinker by cigarette and tobacco barons; by pharmaceutical barons; by landlords and by mining barons through fast tracked legislation and more importantly, it continues its constant attack on all matters Māori all of the time.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister has advised France that when dealing with New Caledonia issues they must be aware of the indigenous Kanak rights of self-determination. Yet he has the audacity to deny his own whakapapa and his own people the same discussion in Aotearoa.

The only activist party in our political landscape is Te Pāti Māori. We are the only Pāti that will unapologetically speak our truth. We make absolutely no apology for ensuring that we will overturn every piece of legislation when we form part of a new Government. So the message to rich landlords (me being one of them) is you will pay your fair dues when we take power.

The message to mining magnates that got through fast tracked procedures is, we will unwind you. We will unwind everything this Government has done to us because we are an everlasting, dependable movement for indigenous peoples. Of greatest importance is we have to express our manaakitanga which is to protect all peoples.

Te Pāti Māori are endlessly attacked and the matter is being made into a race debate through no fault of our own. We are the real opposition to this Government. We are a rights based Pāti not a race based. Racism was imported by colonisers. We consented to Colonisers by signing a Treaty.

We are the only activist party because when our legislation to remove GST off all kai came before The House, everyone including Labour and The Greens voted it down. We are the only activist party because when we say something, we mean it. When Labour and The Greens get into power, everything is about surrendering to the altar of incrementalism rather than actually changing things for the betterment of the majority of our citizens.

So let’s confront the real issue. During and after the pandemic huge websites fully funded by the rich appeared knowing there is only one activist group left in Aotearoa and it is us Māori, the Indigenous people. We are here to protect our environment; there to protect the benefit of the majority of citizens and to tax the 2 per cent that control 50 per cent of our wealth.

They are on notice as are their friends at the New Zealand Taxpayers Union; their friends at Curia Polling; their friends at Hobson’s Pledge; their friends at Federated Farmers and their friends at Employers and Manufacturers. They all have to accept the fact that we are never surrendering and we grow stronger every day.

It must amuse our people to watch a National Party MP in Taranaki hide $180,000 worth of expenditure, not report it and nothing happens. When Te Pāti Māori made a late filing the Police were immediately called to investigate and we are sent to the Serious Fraud Office. This shows one law for some and one law for others.

We are sick and tired of being beaten up for speaking our truth on our own whenua. That is why there can be no reliance on media and I attach my response to STUFF as evidence.

So join the movement, sign up your friends and whānau, like and share. Register as members of the only activist movement who are still able and willing to contest matters in our constitution. Is it any wonder we want to set up our own parliament? Is it any wonder that we want to get our fair share of resources to self-manage and self-determine for and with ourselves?