Manifesto ‘a milestone’

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 29

Manifesto ‘a milestone’

Mr N. A. Reedy

Maoris have never been more divided and impotent in the political sphere, says the candidate for Mana Motuhake, Mr Amster Reedy. The position of Maoris in New Zealand society needs to be restated clearly, and he urges “the people of Aotearoa to unite and join the party which will do most for Maori people." He says that Mana Motuhake’s manifesto is a milestone in the history of Maori people, because it is the first time a Maori political party has produced a statement proposing how to handle the future of the Maori. Mr Reedy is concerned about the anti-Polynesian policies of the Right-wing political group, New- Force. Maoris should be concerned about their cultural ties with the Island people of the

South Pacific, because the futures of both groups are “tied intimately.” He sees the New Force party as indicative of the kind of thinking which exists in New Zealand. Mana Motuhake is critical of the patronising attitudes which the other political parties have towards Maoris. “Labour Maori M.P.s purport to represent us, but they

don't understand us, so they cannot. They are Labour seats first and Maori seats second,” he says. “The responsibility for the future of Maori language and culture is in our hands. We must not rely on schools, because as soon as the money runs out, the Government will stop it.” Mr Reedy says Maoris have been dependent too long. Mana Motuhake promotes “self-help.” The Government has to realise that New Zealand is bi-cultural, meaning "two people — one nation.” Mana Motuhake’s policies include setting up a Ministry of Youth to encourage Maori youth to become involved in political issues, and the establishment of Maori banks, investment companies, and insurance companies.

but Mr Reedy says there would be no “hand-outs” for the pakeha. “We have a lot of things to give - it is all free advice,” he says. Mana Motuhake would work to increase the number of Maori seats in Parliament to better represent the proportion of Maoris in the population. Mr Reedy says he condemns tourist postcards showing Maori women in semi-nudity because it gives a false impression of Maori women in New Zealand. A lecturer in Maori language at the Wellington Teachers' College, Mr Reedy is Mana Motuhake’s spokesman on education, health, arts, culture and language, sports and recreation, and local government.