Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson. New Zealand signed up to the Declaration in 2010 through then-Māori Affairs Minister and Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, under a National-led government. "It's appropriate we're at my marae, a cultural focal point for South Auckland Māori, to discuss a Declaration plan. "The time is right to develop a plan that measures our progress in advocating for Māori in real and meaningful ways," Jackson said. Jackson defended speaking to Māori first, given it was about indigenous rights in the first place.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 01, 2021 01:39 UTC