Face of the Day

> Resources Minister Shane Jones has rejected Ngāti Ruanui’s demand for an apology and doubled down on his declaration that the iwi lacks intelligence. > > Ngāti Ruanui tumu whakahaere (leader), Haimona Maruera Jnr said Jones’ comments in parliament on Wednesday were “shameful” and “an attack on the mana of our entire iwi”. > > Jones was thrown out of the House after taking jabs at Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and the iwi. > > He was arguing that some “luddites” and “troublemakers” did not see the importance or economic value in mining for critical minerals. > > Ngarewa-Packer interrupted Jones to point out he’d “failed” after a mining company withdrew its fast-track application to mine the Taranaki seabed. Ngāti Ruanui had opposed the application. > > Jones said it was important that the $1.4 billion sector be enabled to grow. > > “Whether it’s through the fast-track legislation ... and I accept ... that in some areas, the growth in intellect and the growth in intelligence will take a lot longer, and I fear that the longest period of time it will take will be around Ngāti Ruanui and Taranaki.” > > Ngarewa-Packer labelled Jones “insecure” because “that little iwi took you on and won” in their battle against mining the Taranaki seabed. > > RNZ Read More