The head of Women's Refuge and the Minister of Maori Affairs seem to have buried the hatchet over child abuse and domestic violence.
Women's Refuge chief executive Merepeka Raukawa-Tait and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia joined forces at a rugby league match in Wellington yesterday to collect money for the organisation.
And Ms Raukawa-Tait told Radio New Zealand she and the Government were now in agreement about the need to openly acknowledge the problem.
Ms Raukawa-Tait claimed last month that she had been called to a meeting with Mr Horomia and his associate, Tariana Turia, and told to pull her head in.
She said she had been criticised by them for sending out "the wrong message" about Maori violence.
Yesterday, the Women's Refuge leader said the Government now saw that what she had been saying was not Maori-bashing.
"What I have been saying is that there is an issue here, particularly in relation to Maori families, but not exclusive to Maori families."
She added that people throughout New Zealand were concerned about abuse and violence and wanted to see some action to combat it.
"A lot of words have been said. Now [people] want to see the action."
Ms Raukawa-Tait said more and more people were visiting Women's Refuge asking how they could help.
"That shows the level of concern in the community."
- NZPA
Herald Online feature: violence at home
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