By VANESSA BIDOIS Maori issues reporter
Maori leaders want the Government to break new ground by appointing a woman as Maori Affairs Minister to replace the dumped Dover Samuels.
Most were dismayed at the way Prime Minister Helen Clark had managed the affair but also felt that Mr Samuels should have stood down first.
Political commentator Dr Ranginui Walker said he felt that Alliance deputy leader Sandra Lee was the most politically astute and would make a "stunning" new minister.
Helen Clark has already indicated that Sandra Lee is not in the running and Acting Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia is a front-runner to take the job.
"If a Government is concerned with closing the gaps and the best person to deal with it, it shouldn't matter which party that person comes from," Dr Walker said.
Maori Council chairman Sir Graham Latimer said Helen Clark must now take charge of the Maori affairs portfolio.
"She's got to take it because Maoridom will be in a bit of a mess until this all settles down."
Maori Council executive chairman Maanu Paul said the council wrote to Helen Clark earlier this week suggesting that she become the Maori Affairs Minister or an associate minister of the portfolio.
"We have huge respect for [Parekura's] capacity and potential to be a good minister but we note that he is number 17 or 18 on the priority list.
"The closing of the gaps will have a priority of that level. We want the priority level to be at number one."
Maori rights campaigner Titewhai Harawira also urged Helen Clark to appoint a Maori woman as the new minister if she wanted to regain Maori support.
"I have been sickened ... to watch the way in which the men in Parliament ... and other men have come on television defending Dover Samuels," Mrs Harawira said.
"Never have I heard any of them talking about the pain of the victim."
Ngapuhi members will meet at Waitangi's Te Tii Marae on Saturday to discuss the issue.
Spokesman Kingi Taurua said he was saddened by the sacking because he thought Helen Clark would wait until after the police inquiry.
"We feel that a person is not guilty until proven guilty."
The chairman of Te Runanga o Ngapuhi, Sonny Tau, said the sacking was premature and drastic.
"At this point, we still back our Ngapuhi man 100 per cent until such time as he gives us reason not to."
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