Tamihere staggered by Turia's comments

10:00 AM

Labour MP John Tamihere says comments by Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia could prove damaging to Maori.

Mrs Turia has come under fire for diagnosing Maori with so-called "Post-colonial traumatic stress disorder."

She claims the forced assimilation policies endured by Maori when European settlers came to New Zealand, are at the root of the present-day problems Maori are facing.

Ms Turia says those problems include a high rate of offending.

John Tamihere admits he was staggered when he heard Mrs Turia's comments.

He says his colleague is welcome to her views, but they do not square with the way he sees the world.

Mr Tamihere says Mrs Turia's comments will no doubt be an issue for Cabinet when it meets next week.

- IRN