Ditch Treaty grievances, says quitting Samuels

Former Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels is urging Maori to rethink their attitudes as he prepares to leave the political stage.

The list MP has confirmed he will not stand at the next election and is calling for younger Maori to stand up and be counted in politics.

Mr Samuels said a shift in attitude is needed with Maori being more progressive and not locked into the chains of the past and Treaty of Waitangi grievances.

He said some had concentrated on the financial advantages of grievance issues.

Mr Samuels said Maori should be looking to the future and building on their expertise to drive their people forward.

He will formally stand down from Parliament after a cabinet reshuffle later this year.

Veteran Rimutaka MP Paul Swain announced yesterday that he was stepping down at the next election.

List MP Dianne Yates, Speaker Margaret Wilson and North Shore-based MP and Deputy Speaker Ann Hartley are also expected to retire.

Mr Samuels said he plans to give younger members of Maoridom the benefit of his experience to help their election campaign.

- NEWSTALK ZB