Peters accuses Govt of pandering to Maori

Winston Peters. Picture by Murray Webb.
Winston Peters. Picture by Murray Webb.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is out to get National voters disillusioned with the Government's handling of Maori issues.

In a speech to a Grey Power meeting in Orewa today, Mr Peters reminded the audience of former National leader Don Brash's "one law for all" speech in the town in 2004.

Mr Peters said the party stole his material.

"National went all the way to the 2008 election repeating Dr Brash's mantra even under its new leader Mr (John) Key."

However, National had not followed through, he said, citing agreement to let the Maori flag fly, a review of the Foreshore and Seabed Act, support for Maori Television and other programmes benefiting Maori.

"Hundreds of millions more dollars are going to be spent under this administration in an endeavour to placate a Maori Brown Table elite while the mass majority of Maori, particularly those at the bottom, will get nothing."

Absent from the speech was any reference to Mr Key ruling out any chance of Tuhoe gaining ownership of the Urewera National Park under a Treaty settlement.

Mr Key was criticised by Maoridom over the decision which some commentators said was in response to concerns within the party about gains Maori were getting.

Mr Peters recently announced his party was going to campaign nationwide in next year's election.

The party was voted out in the last election.

 

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