Sharples criticises treatment of Asian migrants

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LATEST: Some Kiwis intimidate the Indian community for "dominating the dairies" and socially exclude other Asian people, the Minister of Maori Affairs says.

Dr Pita Sharples delivered a hard-hitting speech on race relations at Orakei Marae in Auckland last night. After admitting his party's political alliance with the National Party was sometimes "very difficult and stressful", Sharples criticised the treatment of Asian people.

While immigrants from South Africa and the United Kingdom blended in easily, Asians tended to be ignored or excluded, he said.

"In many cases they are victims of social insults, from our New Zealand cultural arrogance," he said.

Asian leaders and friends had told him that they did not feel welcome in New Zealand.

"To me, personally, I feel shamed at those admissions," he said.

"We criticise and it seems sometimes intimidate the Indian community for dominating the dairies, exacerbating stereotypes instead of recognising their capacity to support each other."

Sharples' comments came ahead of the release at Te Papa today of a new book on immigrant experiences in New Zealand.

The book, Longing & Belonging, is by Auckland University of Technology academic and author Edwina Pio.

Pio said immigrants found it difficult to find work in New Zealand that matched their skills.

Said Sharples: "They say that they've often found New Zealanders do not seem to accept people who are physically different from them."

Sharples said Maori should help lead the move to make Asians feel welcome.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Shane Jones this morning told Radio New Zealand the Maori Party had not made any tangible gains for Maori.

"The deeper problem, and its always going to be a problem for a minority party, is the ability to deliver and they are up against some pretty powerful forces in the National Party."

Legislation repealing the foreshore legislation was expected to be introduced in August with a replacement in place by December. Mr Jones said it was taking a long time and it was yet to be seen if the party would get anything close to what it campaigned on.

Mr Jones said under Labour Maori would have got two seats on the Auckland Council voted for by those on the Maori roll.

In his speech Dr Sharples said he thought the idea of one vote one person was an "artificial concoction" that was used to block Maori seats.

Mr Jones said that was a "ridiculous assertion to make". He said Dr Sharples appeared to be arguing for a tribal vote.

"Tribes have assets, maraes, and their own political culture - there's no place for a special tribal vote in a democratic vote. One person one vote."

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance had recommended two members on the proposed 23-member Auckland Council be elected from the Maori electoral rolls and proposed another member be appointed by a Mana Whenua Forum, the members of which would be appointed by mana whenua from the district of the Auckland Council.

The Maori Party supported that proposal but wanted two mana whenua representatives, one for Ngati Whatua and another for Tainui.

As it became clear that would not happen the Maori Party pushed for two Maori seats elected by the whole Auckland population.

It has since said it would push for an independent Maori Statutory board that would advise the council on policy.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News