Leaders debate

Last night on TV One was the leaders debate, with the leaders from the 8 politic parties currently in parliament. (See: http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/576182/609851) I think Winston Peters did very well this time around. He's the only one who really speaks any sense out of all the leaders. He's still the man! And I must admit that Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party, did quite well. He didn't waffle on about the treaty like Tariana Turia would!

One issue that was brought up during the debate was that of the Maori seats. Each leader was asked whether we should keep the Maori seats. Here's their responses:

SHARPLES: Totally committed. Yes.

FITZSIMONS: Yes, until Maori want to get rid of them.

ANDERTON: Same for me.

CLARK: It is a question for Maori. Maori should make that choice.

BRASH: I want to abolish them.

HIDE: It’s a question for all New Zealanders, and they should go.

DUNNE: What we should be doing is starting a process of dialogue about what the future for those seats should be, but not making any definitive decisions until Maori have had their say as well.

PETERS: Look, we’ve got six people with Maori in their background in our caucus—But one thing I don’t want to let slide by, and that’s this – the Maori seats are important, and I’ll tell you why. No, I’ll tell you why. We’re out to prove that the Maori seats are not necessary, but don’t just go and take it off them – demonstrate under MMP that they no longer need them.

It appears to be quite split amoungst the policticians. I personally think they should go. Sure, there was a purpose for them over one hundred years ago so that Maori could have a definite voice in parliament, but they are not needed now. There should not be separate seats based on race. However it's decided they should go, by referendum or the governmemt deciding, they need to go!