KEY POINTS:
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has launched an outspoken attack on a "cycle of violence" which he says is brutalising Maori society.
He has called for all Maori MPs, of whichever political party, to lock themselves in a remote location away from the media and interest groups until
they have cracked the problem.
Mr Harawira's outburst comes as three-year-old Rotorua girl Nia Glassie remains on a ventilator in Starship Hospital following weeks of horrific abuse allegedly at the hands of members of her family.
He made reference to another high profile case, the killing of the Kahui twins in south Auckland last year for which their father is facing trial.
Mr Harawira said: "After the Kahui incident, I questioned myself long and hard about what us Maori MPs could do to break this spiralling cycle of violence and mindless destruction that is killing our kids and brutalising our society and this last incident of horrific child abuse just confirms what an uphill struggle we've got if we want to turn things around."
He said the 21 Maori MPs in Parliament have to own the problem. "Never mind pointing the bone at anyone else, and never mind the platitudes. We have the power to make a difference, we have the numbers," he said.
"I reckon we should lock ourselves away in a barracks down Waiouru (anywhere else and the media and the crazies will come along), put people who are good at dealing with child abuse in a barracks next door to give us advice ... and don't come out till we come up with a solution.
"Yes it's simplistic, and yes, there's going to be all kinds of gonks moaning about why they weren't invited, but really, who cares? We need a plan, we need action, and we need it now."
He said it had to be an all-Maori affair otherwise people started to "clam up". And while Maori society had the biggest role to play, Government also had to be involved.
"And colonisation has a lot to bloody answer for as well."
National Party Maori affairs spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu said she supported the idea.
"In principle it sounds like a good idea," she said.
But it was a different matter whether or not a consensus could be gained as to a way forward.
"Various parties come from different angles. In principal, it shouldn't be a barrier," she said.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples' spokeswoman Helen Leahy said Mr Harawira's comments are not party policy but they will be discussed at the caucus meeting on Tuesday.
"It's his column and his suggestion as a local MP," Ms Leahy said.
Labour list MP Dover Samuels said "more korero" is not what is needed.
He said medical professionals and in-particular psychologists need to get inside the heads of the men who are beating their children.
"We need a paradigm shift. There's lots of talk about how we're going to deal with this but why can't we get into the minds and psyche of the males committing these offences?" Mr Samuels said.
He said a lot of Maori marched for the Foreshore and Seabed Act but not for their mokopuna.
"What has changed since the Kahui twins? What have you heard that's different?"
Mr Samuels said he was responding as a parent but acknowledged that change needs to come from the Government.
"I'm not convinced that all the resources that are being mooted in terms of resolving the situation is the answer," Mr Samuels said.
He said people who commit these offences have different values and live in a world of their own.
Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia, who chairs a multi-party working group, had a lukewarm response.
"It's something Hone and I will have a talk about in the future," Mr Horomia said.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
