Greens support rights of indigenous people

Green Party Maori Affairs Spokesperson Metiria Turei has strongly criticized the Government for being among the tiny group of nations to cast their vote against the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

“What reason could New Zealand possibly have for refusing to defend the right of indigenous people to maintain their cultures, institutions and traditions free from fear of discrimination? The Government had no mandate from tangata whenua to oppose the declaration,” Mrs Turei says.

“It is doubtful that even a majority of Pākehā would share the Government’s view. Personally, I feel sorry for those Government MPs and others who know New Zealand’s UN vote to have been wrong.

“It is hard to see what the Government thinks it is achieving by such actions - which tarnish the image of this country in international forums, and damage any trust that tangata whenua might have in the Government’s commitment to biculturalism at home.

“Some 143 countries saw fit to support this measure. New Zealand chose to be one of only four countries – along with Canada, Australia and the US – to oppose it.

“This inexplicable stance comes right after New Zealand was one of the few countries that sought to prevent the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Talks in Vienna from setting meaningful targets for greenhouse gas reductions.

“To date, the Greens and Maori Party have been the prime opponents of New Zealand’s apparent determination within UN forums to work against cultural and economic freedom, justice and equal opportunity for all,” Mrs Turei says.