A unified Maori voice?

Joris de Bres is advocating the creation of a unified Maori voice through either a Maori House of Parliament or a “council of elders and chiefs”.

I agree a unified Maori voice would be very helpful. But it’s not that easy. First of all any “unified voice” would not be speaking for all Maori, but for at best a majority of Maori. Just like NZUSA does not speak for all students and the National Council of Women does not speak for all women.

One of the great things about political parties is they allow individuals to choose an advocate which is closest to their views.

But that is not to say a national body for Maori would not still be very useful. But any such body should have a democratic basis. A council of elders and chiefs doesn’t sound very democratic to me. And a separate House of Parliament will never be accepted. The existing Maori Council is in theory democratic but has little standing or support nowadays.