MP hits out at ‘racist rhetoric’
Waititi ‘tired of Ma¯ ori being used as a political football’
Ma¯ori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi has again been ejected from the House after taking aim at what he called “racist” rhetoric by the National Party.
He led an impassioned haka on the floor as he was kicked out, joined by co-leader Debbie NgarewaPacker in solidarity yesterday — as did Green MP Teanau Tuiono.
Waititi said he was “sick and tired of Ma¯ori being used as a political football”.
Waititi was upset about the line of questioning that National had been pursuing for the past two weeks in regards to Ma¯ori “separatism”.
Collins was questioning Ardern over further details about He Puapua, a Government document that provides advice on how to fully realise legal obligations to Ma¯ori.
This has been a point of intense scrutiny from National and Act Party MPs over the past two weeks.
Ardern responded to Collins: “What the member characterises as separatism I characterise as partnership.”
Waititi raised a point of order, challenging National on its rhetoric.
But Speaker Trevor Mallard said Parliament was a “House of Representatives” and there was a “broad range of views within the House”.
“Part of my responsibility is to allow those views to be aired.”
But Waititi was not satisfied with the answer and tried to challenge him by raising another point of order.
Mallard told Waititi his challenge needed to be fresh as he had made his decision. But when Waititi tried to canvas the same issue, Mallard ejected him from the House.
“When it comes to the rights and views of indigenous peoples – those views must be from those indigenous people,” he told the House, taking aim at National.
He asked MPs that if this attitude is acceptable in the House – “constant barrage of insults to tangata te whenua” – he found the House to be “in disrepute”.
Mallard told Waititi to take his seat – instead, Waititi performed a haka. He was then kicked out.
Waititi had objected to the question lines from Collins to Ardern before in the past fortnight, but had not brought it to a head until yesterday.
Last Wednesday when Collins was questioning Ardern about the Maori Health Authority, Waititi stood and said “I’m wondering why two Pa¯keha¯ women are talking about Ma¯ ori issues when they’re not talking to Ma¯ori themselves. There’s a room full of us.”
Watiti said National’s rhetoric around its opposition to a separate Ma¯ori Health Authority had led to an incitement of racism towards Ma¯ori on social media.
“We won’t stand anymore,” he said.
That means his party is prepared to leave the House again if he feels the same “racist” rhetoric from National continues.
National has denied that its opposition to separate Ma¯ ori-specific entities was racist.
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