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Helen Clark slams hikoi

May 4, 2004 6:21 AM

The Prime Minister has launched a scathing attack on the seabed and foreshore hikoi heading for the capital.

Helen Clark is labelling high-profile hikoi organisers "haters and wreckers".

She claims they are just taking protests witnessed at Waitangi to the steps of Parliament.

"What it is, is the same old faces. The Ken Mairs, the Harewira Family, the Annette Sykes, the haters and wreckers, the people who destroy Waitangi every year, now wanting to do a Waitangi in every town in New Zealand on the way to Wellington where they will do a Waitangi on the steps of Parliament. Is this not what New Zealand has got absolutely sick and tired of?" Clark asked.

Sharon Campbell of Whakatohea rebuffed the criticism.

"The reality is that many of the people that are supporting this are conservative Maori who are concerned with this - what the government intends to do," Campbell said.

But Clark said she will not meet with any members of the hikoi. On Monday, she met with Chilean President Ricardo Largos and then posed with "Shrek" the sheep.

When asked why she would take time to meet a merino sheep but would not take time to meet hikoi members, Clark said: "Because Shrek was good company."

The hikoi made a stop on Monday at the historic Ratana Pa near Wanganui.

The 45,000-strong Ratana church has supported the Labour Party for decades but there are signs that support is unravelling.

Some are looking to Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia for political leadership, but she said she will not stand alone to front any potential new Maori party.

Andre Meihana of Morehu is a direct descendant of Ratana founders and son to the church leader. He is one of the younger Ratana followers who support Turia and says Labour has not delivered on promises to the church.

The church elders have not yet spoken out officially for or against a new Maori party but there are signs Labour should not count on getting their support either.