Horomia Parekura: General Debate 
Horomia Parekura: General Debate 
[Volume:641;Page:11583] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I heard that member’s persuasive argument about members disappearing. I want to remind him that there were five leaders in the National Party in that period of time and that its present leader is struggling to get its members back in. 
Let us talk about the nuclear issue. I recall that when National was last in Government it was saying it would do away with the anti-nuclear policy. Every year those members said that. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: No. Never said it. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Yes they did. Every year they said they would do away with it but the only thing that happened was that the country got rid of them and that is really really important to understand. 
In relation to the violence matter I say that that member’s party did not show up until recently—and I do have to give due respect to Tariana Turia and company who encouraged them to come back. The member should not use the flip-flop excuse that National members stayed away because they care about babies getting bashed and all that stuff. Those members did not show. They came to the first hui they kicked up a ruckus and they told a whole lot of nonsense. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: What a lightweight! 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: I think it is very unfair for that member to call me a lightweight when he can see what my shape is. How dare he! I demand an apology from him. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: I withdraw and apologise. He is no lightweight. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: I thank the member. He knows full well that this Government is committed to obesity and that we do care about health problems unlike that party over there. 
What did National members do in health when there were in Government? They got rid of the dental technician training colleges. They got rid of them and poor Maoris poor Pacific Island people and other poor New Zealanders— 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: They’re still poor. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: —that is right—they have no decent dental surgery. Those members got rid of the colleges. 
What else did National members do? They put up the rates for doctors’ visits. They scrubbed a whole lot of issues. They threatened to close hospitals. They threatened places like the Wairarapa and Kaitaia and they withdrew a whole lot of health services. This is the same great party that says it cares about our people. 
I want to talk about more positive things today like Maori Television. National hummed and ha’ed and said that it would not get there. I will read a quote from the head of the Maori Television Service: “Maori Television has recorded its highest ratings ever thanks to the thousands of viewers”—Mr Williamson should listen to this—“who tuned into New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster during August.” 
Maori Television has a whole lot of people who are now experts. By the way 80 percent of people who watch it are non-Maori. It is fabulous the stuff it has got into. In the past 6 months it has averaged 695000 viewers every month. It heading towards being what real Kiwiana is about. It is a great effort. It is a skill that was not of this country and people will keep Hollywood and Bollywood alive because Maoris are great actors. At the end of the day issues like Maori Television have managed themselves very very well. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: Tell us about your commitment to obesity. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: About what? 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: You said this Government was committed to obesity. I want to know why. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: At the end of the day we do address the issues. That is a surly type of innuendo I say to Maurice. I could talk about broadcasting in his period in office too—I could talk about a whole lot of other issues. We are serious about the health issues in this country and some people struggle to correct things more than others. 
Let us talk about the employment rate for Maori. I ask members to look at this chart here. When Labour came to office Maori were at this level here in terms of benefits. People continue to preach and leach that we are a benefit-dependent people but that is totally wrong. This Government has helped us as much as it has helped the dairy farmers and the foresters. I make a prediction that the extra payment per kilogram will be $7 and that will be done through this Government’s effort. 
Police numbers have been increased through this Government’s effort and with a bit of help from Mr Mark. We have dealt with issues like assisting the Maori wardens. When did that member care about the Maori wardens? 
The participation rate in employment is at a historic high. At the moment nearly 80 percent of all Maori who can work are working. Is that not great? 
The rate of early childcare participation is at nearly 92 percent. That is how we get out of violence. That is how we get people out of all those negative things. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: It’s not working. Violence is worse. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA 
: Violence is everywhere I say to Dr Smith and the interesting thing is that the narrow-minded members opposite blame it on Maori which is humbug.