August 12, 2020
Ihumatao occupation fails treaty test
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he’s standing up for traditional Māori values in blocking a quick resolution of the Ihumātao stand-off.
At a candidates’ debate at the University of Auckland this week, Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare blamed Mr Peters for the Government’s failure to find a solution to the occupation that has prevented Fletcher Residential from developing the site near Auckland Airport.
Mr Peters says taking land from a private owner would open up every other treaty settlement.
He’s also not impressed with the campaign run by the Save Our Unique Landscape group, which has made Ihumātao a catchcry nationally and internationally.
"These people who are protesting, my question is who are you? What exactly is your connection with this land? Why are you treating your elders and the people who have kept this land warm all these years like they don't matter? Why are you treating your elders with contempt? We are not going to stand by while this happens and we do not concern ourselves with which political parties don't get this part right, but we are talking the traditional Māori world, we believe that New Zealand First's stance is the only stance that you can possibly have here," Mr Peters says.
Winston Peters
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