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Archived Press Releases 2008 18th May 2008

MAORI MASS EXODUS TO AUSTRALIA

(18th May 2008)

Documentary to look at why so many Maori are leaving New Zealand; Crime, Gangs and lifestyle are some of the reasons one-in-five Maori now live in Australia with that number expected to rise to one-in-three!

Kelly Te Heuheu, National Maori crime specialist for Sensible Sentencing Trust assisted a TV Crew from 60 Minutes in looking at why so many Maori are leaving for Australia and Kelly says the documentary will be very revealing. The documentary will screen on TV 3 on Monday night.

“There is now the equivalent of a 747 load of New Zealanders heading across the Tasman each week for a better life in Australia , and it seems the pull is strongest for our Maori population”.

Kelly says that with one-in-five Maori now living in Australia and that number continuing to escalate it was time serious questions were asked.

“The escalation of violent crime, drugs and gang intimidation are all reasons Maori want to leave New Zealand. It is hard for them to leave, this is home and often whanau accuse them of turning their backs on New Zealand”.

Sensible Sentencing Trust National spokesman Garth McVicar said the disastrous PC experiment of the last thirty years had dire consequences for Maori.

“More than any other culture this social experiment that has totally removed the boundaries for young people has been disastrous for Maori”.

Kelly said, “With great pay, a great lifestyle, and what they say is greater acceptance of the Maori culture, who could blame them?"

“This 60 Minutes documentary by TV 3 which will screen tomorrow night exposes and highlights many of the reasons Maori are leaving New Zealand”.

Regards,

Kelly Te Heuheu
Maori Crime Issues Specialist,
Taupo Co-ordinator and Media Spokeperson
Sensible Sentencing Trust
Aotearoa
Email kteh@ihug.co.nz