Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 20, 2016 18:28:48 GMT 12
LEGAL AID CLOSURES PUT MĀORI 'AT A DISADVANTAGE'
Ms O'Connor - the managing solicitor of Community Law Otago - said the closures would only aggravate a lack of support and guidance for Māori, especially those in rural or isolated communities.
Ms Bold-Wilson said the online process would alienate Māori even more, when they made up 15 percent of the population and yet were 50 percent of people who went through the justice system.
Mr Warren said tāngata whenua valued kanohi ki te kanohi communication and that was being lost.
Access to justice for Māori was of paramount importance and any decisions made by central government that could impact on tāngata whenua was of great concern, Mr Warren said....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/313749/legal-aid-closures-put-maori-'at-a-disadvantage'
Ms O'Connor - the managing solicitor of Community Law Otago - said the closures would only aggravate a lack of support and guidance for Māori, especially those in rural or isolated communities.
Ms Bold-Wilson said the online process would alienate Māori even more, when they made up 15 percent of the population and yet were 50 percent of people who went through the justice system.
Mr Warren said tāngata whenua valued kanohi ki te kanohi communication and that was being lost.
Access to justice for Māori was of paramount importance and any decisions made by central government that could impact on tāngata whenua was of great concern, Mr Warren said....
www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/313749/legal-aid-closures-put-maori-'at-a-disadvantage'