NZ POLITICS DAILY: Should Maori Wardens have special powers to police Maori people?

The debate over Maori Wardens having special legal powers to police Maori people might be a bit of a storm in a teacup, as it seems that the most extreme forms of those powers are unlikely to be utilised – see: Yvonne Tahana’s 'We won't drag Maori from bars'.

Yet surely there is room for discussion about whether the whole existence of state-mandated Maori Wardens is a positive and necessary part of society in 2011.

Interestingly, few – if any – politicians are willing to get into that wider question. In fact there’s a fascinating silence over the issue from parties as diverse as Act through to the Mana Party. In regard to Mana, it’s likely the party would be split down the middle, with the Harawira/nationalist faction giving support to the sovereignty aspect and powers possessed by Maori Wardens while the leftist faction would feel abhorrence towards the concept of Maori being policed on the basis of their ethnicity and the incorporation of Maori volunteers into the state’s policing function.

Similar debates will be occurring within parties such as the Greens, Labour and Act, and hence none of these parties seem to have a clear line on Maori Wardens. National and the Greens appear to be in support of the existence of the wardens, but both probably favour modernisation of the laws.

Having an ethnically separate form of policing is a complicated issue that might continue to fuel debate in New Zealand politics, or it might disappear quickly into the too hard basket. If youth unrest spreads to New Zealand, it could certainly become a bigger issue.

One academic thinks that’s possible, based on the significantly youth problems in this country – see: Olivia Carville’s Unrest inevitable, NZ just as bad – academic. Similarly, today Gordon Campbell summarises recent debates about social problems in New Zealand – see: Putting the focus on income inequality. And Tim Watkin’s David Parker in Epsom – stepping up or giving up? is worth reading too.

Bryce Edwards, NZPD Editor (bryce.edwards@otago.ac.nz)

Today’s content:

Role of Maori Wardens at RWC

Yvonne Tahana (NZH): 'We won't drag Maori from bars'

Kate Chapman (Stuff): 'Outdated' Maori warden laws in force for RWC

Danya Levy (Stuff): Law for Maori wardens 'a bit racist', Key says

NZPA: Maori Warden law 'antiquated' – PM

Election

Tim Watkin (Pundit): David Parker in Epsom – stepping up or giving up?

David Farrar (Stuff): Mana's mayhem

NZPA/NZH: (NZH): Sue Bradford puts hat in ring for Mana candidacy

NZPA: Mana Party lines up election candidates