Wigmore embraces the ‘Nine’ over lunch

The luncheon hosted by newly elected Party Leader, Robert Wigmore with the nine members of parliament led by Sir Terepai Maoate KBE at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday was the beginning of bringing Caucus Members together.

Sir Maoate KBE tells the Herald that the invitation made to him and the other 8 Caucus members from our Leaders office, Robert Wigmore is a start towards bridging the gap between Caucus members (John Tangi, Ngamau Munokoa, Ngai Tupa, Tangata Vavia). I can happily confirm, says Sir Maoate KBE that I am happy with the discussions held over lunch with our Leader and we are looking forward to our next meeting this Friday with the remaining caucus members.
The decision by our leader, Robert Wigmore to host and bring us together over a luncheon is a demonstration of our leader to discard the speculation that we are still divided. The fact is we are united and growing from strength to strength. The luncheon was our time to reconcile our differences one to another and then strategise how we will move forward as a team.
Our Leader, Robert Wigmores effort to bring us together must be commended. It is not easy, says Sir Maoate KBE, to work with people that you have had a strained relationship with and then try and make amends. We will continue to strengthen our stance as a Democratic Party and go into the upcoming general elections with a planned and united focus. We are determined more than ever to remain this way – unmoved by any distractions or attempts to divide us.
What is of most concern however, says Sir Maoate KBE is the slanted storytelling and manufacturing of news by a particular newspaper. Too often the news distributed by this particular newspaper is not warranted and mostly informed by its own selection and order of events. We encourage all newspapers to be informative and factual bringing out to the general public what is necessary to keep us honest as politicians and as a country.
The media need to wise up, says Sir Maoate KBE to the fact that it confuses and hurts our grassroots people. It is an irresponsible form of journalism. This particular newspaper needs to change its approach, says Sir Maoate KBE.
As a politician, I welcome the ‘freedom of the media’ but not to the detriment of our country’s credibility within the Pacific region, as well as with our donor agencies and colleagues within the International arena.

DETAILS OF PACKAGE:

During preliminary discussions between Sir Terepai Maoate KBE and Prime Minister, Jim Marurai the Herald was advised that the package requested by Sir Terepai Maoate KBE was for three Ministerial with no increase to their present salaries. The selected three would remain on their Member of Parliament salary, so as not to impact upon the present budgetary constraints. The offer is a means by which to not only bring reconciliation between the two factions but more importantly ensure the country operates effectively and efficiently until the general election 2010.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?