Te Ururoa Flavell: Fears terror bill may target Maori

Hundreds turned out for the White Ribbon Ride against domestic violence at Rotorua's Village Green recently.

Greetings to you all.

The big issue debated in Parliament recently is the Countering Terrorist Fighters Bill. It's a response to the horrific attacks that are happening overseas, and the fear that we could be exposed to similar threats here in New Zealand.

It's only right that the Government does something to address this threat. Who would have thought that we would have people die from terrorist attacks in Australia or Canada? Could this also happen in New Zealand?

Perhaps I should respond like this. I believe that there are people who are under scrutiny by police in Aotearoa. Those people aren't well and they are here in New Zealand. The law is there to look after you and me as citizens of this country. So as far as the Maori Party is concerned, we will not support this bill, even in spite of the improvements that National has made. Why? Because there are still major concerns that Maori may well be targeted. So that's my view on that issue.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many people who supported the White Ribbon campaign recently. Although I was not able to attend the event here at home, my thoughts were with my dear friend, Te Orohi Paul, and her husband Hakopa. It was supposed to be the day that they arrived on their motorbikes with the White Ribbon riders, as they have done each year, however it wasn't to be. Te Orohi and Hakopa were leaders in the promotion of this kaupapa, particularly in Kawerau. I miss her so much, and think about her often.

I was fortunate to attend the recognition ceremony of Maera Maki-Anderson in Murupara last week. She was recognised by the nation for her work within the Murupara and Kaingaroa communities. Her commitment to ensuring that a volunteer fire brigade was not closed down in those towns, and the training she has provided all on a voluntary basis, are the reasons she was accorded such recognition.

To all the people like this who provide these kinds of services for the good of their communities, and all voluntary, I commend you.

I welcome your feedback. Email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz. Phone 0508 924 274.

Kei aku tamarahi ki te rangi, tena koutou katoa.

No enei rangi e tata nei, ko te kaupapa nui e korerohia ana i te Whare Paremata, ko te Pire Countering Terrorist Fighters. He take t"nei kua ara ake na nga mahi konatunatu, mahi weriweri i tawahi, ka mutu, kei reira tonu te awangawanga, ka puta tetahi mahi morearea, mahi kohuru tangata i Aotearoa.

Ki a au e tika ana, kia ata ruku te Kawanatanga ki te take nei. Ko wai ka whakaaro ake, ka kitea ko te kohuru o te tangata, a whakatumatuma nei i Ahitereiria i Kanata ranei? Ka pera i Aotearoa nei?

Me penei pea taku whakautu. Kua rongo nei au mo nga tangata e ata tirohia ana e te Pirihimana. Ko taua hunga, kua mauiui, kua wairangi, engari, kei Aotearoa nei tera hunga e noho ana. Koia na te tikanga o te ture, ara, he tiaki i a koe, i a au. Haunga enei korero, kaore te Paati Maori i tautoko atu i tenei pire ahakoa i whakatikatikahia e Nahinara i te nuinga i te mea, he awangawanga no etahi, i tona mutunga ko Ngai Maori pea te hunga ka ata tirohia mo te korekore noa iho. Tera korero tera.

Ka mihi ra ki te marea i tae atu ki te tautoko i te kaupapa nei i nga ra tata kua hipa. Ahakoa kaore au i te kainga i te taenga atu o te kaupapa, ara, o te kore patu tangata, i rere nga whakaaro ki taku tuahine ki a Te Orohi Paul, me tana hoa, a Hakopa. Ko tona tikanga, kua tae atu raua tahi ki te kainga ma te waka paihikara, engari, kore i pera. Ko Te Orohi raua ko Hakopa tera i whakaara i tenei kaupapa i te hapori o Kawerau i te kainga, a, kei te tangi tonu atu ki a ia.

Noku te waimarie mo taku taenga atu ki te p whakanui i a Maera Maki-Anderson o Murupara.

Koia nei te wahine i whakanuia e te motu mo ana mahi nui mo te hapori i Murupara, i Kaingaroa hoki. Ko tana mahi ko te patu ahi, a, ko ia tonu te kaihautu i te teihana i aua taone ra. Nana tonu te teihana i Kaingaroa i whakaora. Ko ia ano hoki te mea kawe nei i nga mahi whakaako patu ahi mo te kore utu tonu. Mo enei momo wahine, tangata e mahi nei mo te hapori te painga, mo te kore utu, ka nui nga mihi.

-Te Ururoa Flavell is the Waiariki MP, Minister of Maori Development and the co-leader of the Maori Party