It's been relatively quiet on the political front
with the nation focussing on the Tokyo Olympics,
the Government focussing on maintaing its power in Parliament
and preventing the delta strain of Covid-19
from entering the country.
Let's cross to Wellington now...
Joining us live from Parliament
is the Minister for Māori Development
Willie Jackson, Minister...
tēnā rā koe!
Thank you for joining us.
Kia ora Scotty,
I should acknowledge my relation Lisa (Carrington),
who hails from Ngāti Porou.
She grew up in South Auckland,
Scotty.
She's related to all of us Willie,
she's related to all of us.
We are all trying to claim her.
Yes, that's right.
She's a great woman.
A huge mihi to her family as well.
That's good.
National held their conference over the weekend
were you surprised that they kicked it off
with a huge Māori welcome?
Were you there Scotty?
No.
Definitely not.
I'm pretty sure your friends were there,
Tū Williams and Doug Hauraki.
They're old friends of yours Willie.
They were there.
I don't remember that name.
But I'm not surprised,
they don't want to look like a bunch of red necks.
But at the end of the day,
it's all about getting the votes.
That's it.
The votes.
They're tricky.
It's just a performance to the country.
It's all for show.
But then again,
I'm not surprised.
So you've said the pōhiri was all for show.
But this is National.
Have they changed tactics and trying to appeal to Māori,
so Māori will vote for them?
They know Scotty,
the right thing to do...
Well it's all a game to them.
We know their big focus,
is to get the Pākehā vote.
That's their main objective.
But they don't want to appear to be a bunch of red necks,
that's a big challenge.
It's all a big game.
Were you surprised to see the National Party president
keep his job?
Really surprised actually.
Because you saw his campaign last year,
it was useless.
It was pretty bad.
Well they lost,
they had many inter-party problems
yet last Sunday he was given the position again.
But that's all good with us,
congratulations to him!
I'm surprised,
but kudos to him
for getting the Presidency role again.
We're surprised.
Do you think Judith will still be the leader
at the next election,
if not,
who do you think it will be and why?
I'm not really sure what will happen with her role,
Simon Ridges and Luxton are waiting for her to muck up.
I'm not too sure what the path is for Judith.
But we think Judith should stay there,
she's doing a great job Scotty!
Good work to her for her efforts!
She can stay in her role.
It seems like Labour aren't at all worried
about National at the moment.
No.
But I acknowledge Simon Bridges,
he knows how to dance on stage.
We saw him up there.
His moves are just like yours my friend.
I acknowledge Scotty
and the National Party,
but I don't know what Judith is up to right now
but Labour are happy.
Because we support Nationals campaign.
Thank you Willie.
It was good to talk to you.
We'll catch up again soon.
So thank you!
Willie Jackson everybody,
Minister of Māori Development.