Poverty a priority at Ratana Pa | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Poverty and the Treaty of Waitangi were matters continually referred to at Ratana Pa yesterday during speeches from five political parties to those gathered for the annual celebrations of prophet TW Ratana's birthday.

All eyes were on David Shearer for his first appearance there as Labour Party leader.

He said his background in international aid, often in areas of conflict, meant his first instinct in any situation was to bring people together.

He invited Ratana leaders to come to Parliament to "sit down and talk about how we can go forward together".

"It can't be done in one day on this paepae."

Labour's relationship with the Ratana movement was more than symbolic, but it needed renewal.

"The Maori vote is really about them deciding who they want. There's a range of options on the table and we've got to work really hard," he said.

Speaking for the Ratana movement, church secretary Waka Paama commended his effort to renew the alliance. There had already been discussions, but there was more to do and it would be done by church president Harerangi Meihana.

Mr Meihana's focus would be on getting the Treaty into law and alleviating poverty.

Mr Shearer said he welcomed the National Party's ministerial committee on poverty, and wanted the Labour Party to be part of it.

But the speaker in the Labour Party grouping who got the biggest reaction from the home crowd was not Mr Shearer - it was Jack Tautokai McDonald, the Green Party candidate for Te Tai Hauauru at the last election.

Still under 20, he spoke fluent Maori and received rousing support.

Poverty among Maori was also raised in speeches to welcome Prime Minister John Key.

"I just want to place that before you on behalf of our people," one speaker said.

Ngati Apa chairman Adrian Rurawhe said the Ratana celebrations were about rangatahi (young people).

"Unfortunately, a lot of our rangatahi are unemployed. We need to work together, whatever the party."

Mr Key said education was the way to reduce poverty, and he has made Hekia Parata his Education Minister.

"It's her responsibility to make sure all New Zealanders receive a world-class education. It's not acceptable to this Government that a third of Maori leave school without even NCEA Level 2."

He said continued progress toward treaty settlements, a review of the constitution and welfare reforms were ahead in the next three years.

Mr Key said New Zealand couldn't sustain having 13 per cent of working-age people on a benefit and young girls staying on the DPB and having children with "numerous" men.