Lots happening in the Maori world

Willie Jackson's Opinion

Friday, 15th July, 2011

Well, if it's not the two Maori parties fighting, it's the Maori Women's Welfare warring with the Destiny Church and Don Brash and Act declaring war against the Maori nation.

As far as the Maori parties' fighting is concerned, that now looks inevitable after the national council of the Maori Party rejected a proposal I put forward on behalf of the Mana Party last week.

I met with Maori Party president Pem Bird and vice-presidents Te Orohi Paul and Ken Mair and put up a proposal that Mana would not stand in the Maori seats apart from Hone Harawira's, as long as the Maori Party gave up its list vote.

The meeting that was held was very amicable so I was optimistic that an agreement would be reached but unfortunately the national council threw out the proposal.

Pem informed me of the decision on Sunday and said Harawira's former colleagues in the North were absolutely against any proposal of peace.

The response from the national council is short-sighted and stupid. They're in cuckooland if they think they can win Harawira's seat, but worse than that they have made their party vulnerable in three other seats Tamaki Makaurau, Waiariki and Te Tai Tonga.

Of course Labour will be jumping with joy at the opportunity that's been handed to them.

I've been involved in Maori politics for many years now and seen break-ups in Maori parties before. For some unknown reason I thought that common sense would prevail with Mana and the Maori Party but it seems we never learn from our past mistakes.

Oh well, the general election should be interesting.

As for the Maori Women's Welfare, the behaviour and persecution of some towards the Destiny Church members is hard to fathom. Last weekend at a regional meeting Auckland members wore wigs to put down Hannah Tamaki.

Apparently the stunt was in response to Tamaki's view that some members saw her as too glamorous to challenge for the presidency of the league.

However it was one stunt too far for many Maori who were disgusted at the league going to these lengths.

It'll be fascinating to see who wins this battle.

And as far as Don Brash is concerned no one should be surprised. He's run the race card before with success. Hopefully Kiwis won't buy it again.

Yes, Maori politics couldn't be more interesting. If it's not Brash wanting to bash us, it's us wanting to bash ourselves.

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