The Hui: National’s Tama Potaka says, ‘I’m way down the food chain’
Wednesday, 2 October 2024
This reporting was produced by The Hui and has been republished by Stuff with permission.
Tama Potaka is defending his performance around the cabinet table as an advocate for Māori.
The Māori Development minister told The Hui host Julian Wilcox he was aware many Māori felt ignored or under attack as a result of the policy direction of the coalition Government.
At the Koroneihana commemorations for the late Kiingi Tuheitia in August, one of the King’s advisors Tuku Morgan accused the Government of “throwing Māori under the bus and then running them over”.
Referring to Morgan’s comments, Potaka told The Hui:
“I think those are very genuine and respectful comments that are said with a lot of legacy and said with a lot of support by Māori communities throughout the country.”
But he said some of the decisions that were being criticised - such as National’s decision to support ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill through to a select committee - were “well above his pay-grade”.
Potaka said he was not involved in the drawing up of coalition agreements between the three political parties.
“Some of these matters have been predetermined by coalition agreements. I was not involved, that’s up the food chain. I'm way down on the food chain in terms of leadership discussions and arrangements.”
But he said that did not stop him championing Māori in cabinet discussions.
“I try to be persuasive and try to be convincing of my colleagues.”
Challenged whether he would resign if the Treaty Principles Bill went to a second reading, Potaka didn’t directly respond but repeatedly reiterated that National would vote it down.
He told Wilcox he tried to build understanding and māramatanga not only within cabinet but across the public service.
“It's absolutely fundamental for me to make sure that Te Puni Kōkiri is really firing in the statutory responsibilities that it has, policy around health, education, resource development and employment and training, but [also] holding other agencies to account.”
Potaka said most funding across the Government was not dedicated to Māori.
“But what I do know is this: New Zealand will only become the small and fast leading economy that the prime minister wants if we fire up, activate and elevate Māori - both across economic areas, as well as social areas.
“If we’re unable to do that, we will not become a leading small advanced economy and that's what I'm really focused on.”
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