ACT leader David Seymour also questioned the consultation approach.
“The Government is taking the whole country on the path to being an ethno-state, not just the select Mori leaders it’s chosen to consult on its implementation of He Puapua,” he said. “If there’s to be a constitutional conversation, everybody deserves to be part of it. ”
But Seymour criticised National for “blindsiding” ACT by signing up to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when the parties were in Government.
“ACT was not told under the ‘no surprises’ policy that National was doing this. National was in bed with the Mori Party and ACT was blindsided and vehemently opposed it,” he said.
“If ACT hadn’t brought this issue to Parliament in April and questioned Jacinda Ardern about it, nobody would know about He Puapua. If National hadn’t blindsided ACT by signing up… we wouldn’t be here today.”
Collins says her vision for New Zealand is “moving together towards a more prosperous future” with “all 200+ ethnicities who call New Zealand home”.
“We acknowledge the wrongs of the past must be righted and believe that the best way for the Government to address inequality is to address the issues themselves,” she said.
“That means getting houses built, ensuring equal access to health care, education, and employment, and ensuring access to rehabilitation to end cycles of crime and violence.”