November 30, 2017
Iwi leaders navigate government relations
Iwi leaders are meeting in Wellington, with a big question mark around its relationships with the new Government.
The Iwi Leaders Forum had strong links to the Maori Party, and made much of its access to ministers in the previous Government.
Topia Rameka from Ngati Tuwharetoa says it's now a different environment.
"The forum needs to understand what are all the roles the different ministries now play so that's one thing we need to get our heads around. The kaiupapa of the Iwi Chairs Forum stays the same regardless of what government is in place and our kaupapa is quite simple. It's about advancing the interests of our people, ahakoa no hea," he says.
Government Ministers will attend the forum tomorrow.
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