Chris Hipkins, iwi representatives, and many of the party's Māori candidates gathered at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in South Auckland for Labour Party's Māori campaign and manifesto launch. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn
Chris Hipkins has unveiled the Labour Party's Māori campaign and manifesto, but is shying away from any major announcements.
Hipkins, iwi representatives and many of the party's Māori candidates gathered at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in South Auckland this morning.
No major policies were announced, but Hipkins says Labour has a very good track record for Māori, and there is still more work to come.
But he said there was still room for policies to come.
"I think if you look at what we have set out today, it's a very good track record, it's a direction we're going to continue to go in.
"We've delivered a lot for our Māori communities in the six years we've been in government, but there's more work to be done. I also think that Māori are going to benefit from all the things that we are doing, that are going to benefit all New Zealanders."
At the launch, Hipkins also said non-Māori should not be concerned about a Māori health authority.
The health system had not delivered for Māori in the way it has for others, he said.
"We should not be apologetic about being proactive in tackling those inequities in our health system. The establishment of a Māori health authority is long-overdue and I say as a non-Māori that other non-Māori have nothing to fear from the establishment of a Māori health authority"
Hipkins also said there was still a lot to do to support families as the cost of living rises.
Hipkins said he welcomed the allegiance Māori and Pasifica voters have had with the Labour Party.
A statement on the Labour website said there was "more to do" including:
- More to rebuild our health system which was blind to Māori needs
- More to support rangatahi to flourish and succeed, especially with education that works for them
- More to get our mokopuna fluent in their language, and to lead the revitalisation of te reo Māori
- More to keep food prices down so whānau can afford to put healthy kai on the table
- More to keep rangatahi on a path that will let them live up to their boundless potential
