November 02, 2022
Māori ready to tackle extremism fall-out
Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan says Māori can play an important role to play in fighting the threat of terrorism in Aotearoa.
Government agencies, community representatives and security experts have been discussing the threat at a Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism hui in Auckland this week.
The hui has head from a range of experts, including Maori commentators Tracey MacIntosh and Tina Ngata.
Ms Allan says when there have been incidents, Maori have been drawn in to address the aftermath.
“So these aren’t abstract kaupapa. They’re things that we as Maori have a big role to play in terms of healing our nation and also in terms of taking a leadership role, sharing our experiences and cutting down, shutting down racism and what that looks like in Aoteaora,” she says.
Examples include the role Manukau Urban Maori Authority chair isBernie O’Donnell is playing in the inquiry into the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks and the work of people like Naida Glavish and Bill Hamilton leading discussion up and down the country into the seeds of racism and hate speech.