The debate of the absent leaders of the Maori problems, Ardern, Collins is forced to explain

By Te Aniwa Hurihanganui of RNZ

Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins have been forced to clash and explain why not a single mention of Maori interests, issues or rights was made during the leaders’ debate last night.

The 90-minute television debate, hosted by Breakfast’s John Campbell, was also not present in any discussion of the Waitangi Treaty.

National’s Collins said it was the facilitator’s job to decide what topics would be discussed.

“John Campbell is the one who decides what the questions are,” he said.

“In some cases, you only have 30 seconds to answer the questions, and if they ask me a question, I will give you the most direct answer I can. If you want an answer on the issues of the Maori, I should have asked.”

When asked what the Maori vote could offer, he said his party’s focus was employment.

“Our big focus is jobs and I think that’s for everyone in New Zealand,” he said.

“And then obviously not all Maori are in low decile areas, but we know that Maori are proportionally in low decile areas where we would have STEM skills in school, to show them a way through it.

“Some of our trade academies that we established when we were in government for the last time, I have visited some of them and seen how successful they are, leading children of all ethnicities to understand that there are jobs in some places. engineering and mechanics “.

He said his opinion on diversity in general remains the same.

“I didn’t have to look at the skin color of Dr. Shane Reti or Simon Bridges or Harete Hipango to decide where to put them. [on the list]. I put them there on merit, “he said.

Labor leader Jacinda Ardern agreed that during debates, leaders often spoke only about the issue that was presented to them.

But he said he would be happy to talk more about Labor efforts to improve results for Maori in future discussions.

“I would appreciate the opportunity to dig a little deeper into some of those issues. I think that’s where you’ll see a significant contrast between Labor and National,” he said.

“I am very proud of the work we have done to invest in Kōhanga Reo, to increase tea reo teachers in the school and for Whānau Ora.”

New Zealand politics professor Dr. Lara Greaves said she hoped the upcoming debate would cover a variety of important issues that were overlooked last night.

“It would be really cool if someone actually mentioned Maori as treaty partners because in that debate we didn’t mention Maori or Maori politics or anything like that,” he said.

“I think I’d like to see different topics covered, immigration is another, and just other things that could have been covered in more depth.”

TVNZ has been contacted for comment.