We have Mana Party leader Hone Harawira live with us now.
Tena koe, Hone.
You've just seen our story
about the drug addiction hui in Rotorua,
how much of a scourge is drug abuse for Maori communities?
Watching it on TV, it's a big problem.
And it's only to get worse.
Poverty is a driving factor.
If our communities were all right
with people employed, food on the table
with all of our kids attending school,
you'd find that in no time this would problem decrease.
However, if you fall into poverty,
then you'll seek comfort in anything – what is that anything? Drugs!
You'll try and find an escape in drugs.
Yes it's a scourge alright.
No doubt you're aware of this next issue,
as you watch Te Karere every day,
we filed a story yesterday about the North American tribes
protesting against the construction of an oil pipeline,
destroying sacred sites in the process.
Share your thoughts and your suggestions for them
in this campaign?
Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge all First nations peoples
who were there on the land of the Lakota
to support their rights as a sovereign people
as well as their custodianship over the land,
significant sites and lands.
That's something that's important to all of us.
I sent them a message saying
that Maori stand in solidarity with them on this issue.
Thanks for that.
Back home now and housing prices,
lack of houses continues to be a vexed issue,
your reaction to the skyrocketing house prices in the Far North,
Auckland, Rotorua and all over?
What is the answer?
That's the problem.
The problem is that the government is saying
that not crashing the housing market is more important
than creating homes for the homeless.
If we turned that thinking on its head
by building more homes ahead of trying to make a quick buck,
this issue would be sorted by tomorrow.
However, if National's friends have their hands in this,
then National will do anything to appease them.
And the cross party inquiry into homelessness, worthwhile?
It was worthwhile.
They came to Kaitaia last week.
There was some good thinking and good discussions
that took place.
There was Ricky Houghton and what he had to say on this issue
was excellent.
But we already know what the problem is.
The Government has made the dollar into a god,
that rules over every NZ citizen.
We need to vote the Government out and create a social welfare program
that is equitable to all.
Leave all the chasing after money to someone else.
People's welfare is much more important.
Hone Harawira, thank you for your time.