January 25, 2015
Iwi leaders engage on policy
The Iwi Leaders Forum is getting ready to meet ministers in Kerikeri next week to discuss the government’s legislative programme for the year ahead.
The consultation has become a regular part of the annual hui leading up to Waitangi Day commemorations.
Forum technical working group member Willie Te Aho says smaller teams are meeting officials beforehand to discuss agenda items including housing and freshwater policy.
He says it’s part of a strategy of engagement rather than trying to take the crown on in the courts.
" And that’s what the iwi chairs does. It actually says 'hey look we don't kow whether or not we can support your initiative. We need to form a working group. We need to see the information, we need to work through the detail. And then once we are all on the same level then we can give you informed comment on whether or not what you are proposing is good for us as Maori' " says Willie Te Aho
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WILLIE TE AHO CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjU3MjA=
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