I have seen the comments from Minister Potaka referred to below in various places in the last few days. They were made in a speech to a Maori Group over the weekend following release of the Treaty Principles Bills Select Committee outcomes.

However the extract I have below I have taken from Graham Adams excellent post over at the BBH Blog on David Seymour’s considered response to the Select Committees decision.

Here is what Minister Potaka said:

National’s undisguised glee last week at the imminent demise of the Treaty bill — including the Māori Development Minister, Tama Potaka, crowing, “Nehu [burial] day is coming, folks. Nehu day is coming for the Treaty Principles Bill. Can’t wait to see that nehu day” — looks very odd for a party that professes in its declaration of principles to be in favour of “equal citizenship and equal opportunity”.

He also celebrated the cremation of the bill in the lead up to the above.

In my view both of his statements are unworthy of any Cabinet Minister and also unworthy of a past Head Boy of Te Aute College. A school which I had a number of good friends attend in the period mid 1950’s to the mid 1960’s.

Here is a link to Graham Adams full post at BBH it is a very good read.

https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/graham-adams-seymour-unbowed-by-hostile-treaty-bill-submissions