February 09, 2015
Little sovereignty call shows Labour courage
Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis says Andrew Little’s support for a discussion on Maori sovereignty will be positive for the party and the country.
Mr Little has come under fire for his call for serious consideration of the implications of a Waitangi Tribunal finding that northern Maori did not sign away their sovereignty when they signed the treaty.
The Labour leader suggested that while the suggestion Maori should be able to make their own laws on matters affecting them it would be highly problematic, it should be looked at in the context of how post-settlement iwi manage their affairs.
Mr Davis says he’s proud of his leader.
"Good on him for having the courage to come out with something that no doubt will not go down well with mainstream New Zealand but it's a conversation we need to start having and we need to start exploring what Maori sovereignty looks like in New Zealand in the 21st century," he says.
Mr Davis says Andrew Little has shown himself willing to listen to and take advice from Labour’s Maori caucus in a way that will be good for the party’s future.
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