New attitude needed at port - Sharples

Tāmaki Makaurau MP and Māori Party Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples is ‘extremely concerned’ at today’s developments in the Auckland waterfront dispute.

“The dismissal of almost 300 workers by the Ports Authority is not good news,” said Dr Sharples. “That is nearly 300 families who will be directly affected by unemployment and a loss of income, with all the effects on their wider families.”

“The escalation of this dispute is not good for anyone.

“Auckland must have a businesslike port to support its economy, but we cannot sacrifice the well-being of families to achieve that. A new attitude is needed,” he said.

“We do not want workers and management fighting each other over a shrinking pie. We need the parties to pull together to compete more effectively for our city.

“That is a Māori model of development – collective competition, or teamwork to succeed. We need all eyes on the bigger picture of Auckland.

And in the end, He aha te mea nui? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing? It’s our people,” said Dr Sharples.