24 Apr 2014

Labour hits out at NZ First

7:40 pm on 24 April 2014

The Labour Party says New Zealand First's vote against a batch of Treaty settlements is offensive to tribes and a decision made by a party living in the past.

All seven New Zealand First MPs voted against the Ngati Koata, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama ki Te Tau Ihu and Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Maui Claims Settlement Bill, arguing other iwi have been left out of Crown agreements.

Labour MP for Te Tai Tonga, Rino Tirikatene, says Winston Peters' party is playing politics.

Mr Tirikatene says no New Zealand First MPs are represented on the Maori Affairs Select Committee, they did not make any submissions, and they never took part in any of the debates.

New Zealand First is refusing to name the iwi it says have been left out of Crown settlements.