Turia outraged at the 'emotive scaremongering'

Maori Party Co-leader, Tariana Turia, has reacted strongly to inflammatory remarks made today by former politician, Winston Peters at the Auckland Fickling Centre.

“Quite frankly, I’m outraged that Mr Peters is resorting to emotive scaremongering to garner political support at the expense of some of our most vulnerable communities”.

“Well he should get his facts right before he makes comments which are totally off the wall” said Mrs Turia.

“I don’t know how he reduces the definition of hard-to-reach communities to be code for the Mongrel Mob and Black Power”.

Hard to reach is defined as those that have "traditionally found it difficult to engage with government, including Maori, Pacific, ethnic and rural communities and people with disabilities".

“Of course my definition comes from the Cabinet paper specifically introducing the changes to the Community Organisation Grants Scheme – whereas Mr Peters consulted the 'internet' – but why should a little matter like the facts get in the way of a good story?’ asked Mrs Turia.

“I hope that the communities chosen to receive assistance will ignore his outrageous allegations and realise that most New Zealanders support the amazing initiative and commitment that we see in community development projects right throughout the motu.

"Mr Peters must realise that the style of politics of fear and division do not wash anymore – they are part of the trappings of a previous era and have no place in today’s political arena”.