Morena everybody - and thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk here today. I have in the past few days touched on elements of National's Maori policy in bits and pieces but finally i've been given the opportunity to go through all our policies in depth. In conjunction with the policies we campaigned on in the election over the last few weeks I've been working on tightening and expanding the National Maori policy to ensure the best possible outcomes for Maori can be achieved. That being said it's about time to touch on the polcies I have as of yet not talked about and policies we plan on adding to our regimen.

​

​

Firstly progressing Maori Land reforms will be a key component of any future National party Maori policy in a way which both utilizes Maori land and ensures that the interests of local iwi are adhered to. As such we can achieve quality outcomes for iwi after strong consultation and stringent cost benefit analysis to make sure we can maximize the utility of the land as well as also respecting the wishes of our tangata whenua. As I have repeated throughout this week, policies which consult and aid tangata whenua are naturally the ones that have the most success. On the topic of community - increasing funding and financing for Maori wardens is an important issues for us. These wardens do significant work for our communities and deserve sufficient funding to ensure they can carry out their work into the foreseeable future. On top of this our intention is to roll out a similar Pasifika wardens program as a way of directing community action in a way that combats the causes of crime. They will act as the first port of call before police intervention and is another way of empowering leadership within our Pasifika community. Centralising the governance structure with local Maori governance to become the first port of call for Maori communities - a sentiment that should be common sense. Maori best understand how to fix problems that affect Maori.

​

Moreover National decries the use of anti-Pasifika dog-whistling by the major parties and at every step will oppose every measure that can be interpreted as dog-whistling towards anti-migrant sentiments. and will take the stand if necessary to ensure that anti Pasifika and Maori dog whistling is rooted out of the political realm.On a tangential note - we'll also be looking to expand our climate refugees program as is our moral obligation to our Pacific brothers and sisters. Strengthening iwi representation on select committee's, especially on issues concerning Maori is another issue I feel strongly about - it is crucial that Maori voices are heard and considered on legislation that particularly concerns Tangata Whenua. Empowering Maori voices as an equal partner in the treaty of Waitangi will ensure that government legislation receives the proper scrutiny that the select committee process was built upon.

​

I'd also like to comment on the recent Mana Hapori protests - while I commend their desire to protest a cause close to their hearts I'd like to question the sincerity behind their messages. Especially surrounding charter schools. Now National fought tooth and nail to ensure the protection of Charter schools - where was Mana Hapori when we were decrying the disproportionate affect abolition of said schools would have on our tamariki. Anaconda is quoted as saying " We will fight for the return of Charter Schools " yet Mana Hapori directly contributed to their abolition. They talk about wanting whats best for Maori but at best they're inconsistent at worst downright negligent in their duty of care for Maori interests. You didn't "let the government take them away from us" - you surrendered them yourselves to the out of touch power hungry idiots in power without a second thought and now, when they have been abolished you decide that now it wasn't such a good idea? Disgusting - for a party that claims to have the best interests for Maori at heart Mana Hapori haven't shown it yet.

​

With that being said the protests are right, regardless of the organisers of these protests and their dubious sincerity Charter schools should of been protected and National pledges to join the fight to bring them back and protect the intellectual independence of our rangatahi. If the government assumes a uniformity of students I encourage them to enter reality for a second and realise our curriculum isn't suited for every child and Charter schools offer a genuine alternative for those with needs not met at other public schools. Increasing NCEA pass rates and more importantly allowing kura to shape their curriculum to fit our tamariki were just some of the benefits that Charter schools reap for our communities and I can assure you all National isn't done fighting for them yet.

​

Thanks for coming out again everybody - stay tuned in as we end our campaign tonight.

​

Let's get it right!