June Jackson ... birthday greetings. Photo: PMC/Del Abcede

Pacific.Scoop
Opinion – By Thakur Ranjit Singh

The atmosphere was relaxed with the jokes flying at a forum for tangata whenua ministers and MPs at the AUT Māori Expo today.

A packed bistro at the Vector Arena listened attentively to the sparring politicians.

Despite differing political platforms, one thing was quite evident – the comradeship, friendship and goodwill shared and woven by the thread of Māoridom.

The forum was chaired by the charismatic and amusing Willie Jackson of Radio Live fame (John Tamihere and Willie Jackson, weekdays, 1pm-4pm). The crowd rose in delight to mark the 70th birthday of his mother, June, who looked many years younger than her age.

Speakers were Pacific Islands Affairs Minister Georgina Te Heuheu; Hone Harawera of the Māori Party – “the most famous hitchhiker”, as Jackson introduced him; Labour spokesman on Māori affairs Parekura Horomia and Metiria Turei of the Green Party.

While all the Māori MPs were in favour of keeping Sue Bradford’s so-called anti-smacking legislation, they gracefully differed on many other issues.

One bone of contention was a controversial issue on Māori education, and higher Māori education accessibility, that was once raised by Māori Party co-leader Dr Peter Sharples.

During question time, a pertinent issue of cutting funding for alternative education, especially for Māori, was raised. MPs were posed with a question from a speaker on what the future of Māori education held if 80 percent of tangata whenua students failed to reach or go past year 13.

The speaker was highly critical of government’s cuts in the education budget.

Georgina Te Heuheu ... defending policies. Photo: PMC/Del Abcede

With much criticism directed at the government, Georgina Te Heuheu found herself in the limelight, struggling to defend the National-led coalition’s policies.

She said National was the only party which could work with the Māori Party,.

She reaffirmed her government’s desire to get Māori on board to improve their economic as well as social wellbeing. Issues on the planning board were the review of the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act as well as revival of discussion on indigenous rights.

On the controversial anti-smacking legislation, Te Heuheu said it was essential for the government to seek a balance between parents seeking correction and those who were actually violent.

While views were divergent on the call for Māori seats for the Auckland “Super City” , Te Heuheu echoed Māori concerns that there were social and other related problems posing a bigger issue than Māori seats.

AUT organisers of the Maori Expo were commended for providing a platform for the leadership forum and their efforts in organising a successful and hugely well-attended free event on a beautiful Auckland day.

Thakur Ranjit Singh, a former Fiji publisher, is a postgraduate communication studies student at AUT University and  holder of an AUT/PIMA Pasifika Communications Scholarship.