Seymour, Luxon oppose police-led iwi checkpoints
National leader Christopher Luxon and ACT leader David Seymour have both spoken out in opposition to police-led iwi checkpoints at the Auckland-Northland border.
The Government's COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill (No 2) passed last month gave "power to close roads and public places and stop vehicles" to "a nominated representative of an iwi organisation".
The law recognises an "enforcement officer" as a member of the Armed Forces, or any person the Police Commissioner, currently Andrew Coster, recognises as being a Māori warden, a nominated representative of an iwi organisation, or a Pasifika warden.
The concern for some Māori leaders in Northland centres on Aucklanders being allowed to leave the city from December 15, as long as they are vaccinated or can provide evidence of a negative test result within 72 hours.
With Auckland being the epicentre of the COVID-19 Delta outbreak, Māori leaders like former MP Hone Harawira fear for the wellbeing of Māori in Northland, given the low vaccination rates. Ministry of Health data shows just 67 percent of eligible Māori in Northland are fully vaccinated.
Link to article: 'The dangerous side of Jacinda's kindness': Seymour, Luxon oppose police-led iwi checkpoints (msn.com)
