Photo: RNZ / Richard TindillerThe Labour Māori caucus has acknowledged there was a lack of consultation about the armed police teams trial and has opposed the general arming of police in New Zealand. A review is under way and police say they will release an evaluation of the ARTs trial this month. In recent days, mass protests across New Zealand against police brutality sparked by the killing of African-American George Floyd in the US have renewed opposition to armed police and the response teams specifically. Photo: RNZ / Dom ThomasThe Labour Māori Caucus said they had met with Police Minister Stuart Nash and made their views opposing the general arming of the police force very clear. "Continuing the conversation around intolerance and racism is crucial to Aotearoa New Zealand recovery post-Covid-19, and the Labour Māori Caucus will do our part, to make sure that happens," Whaitiri said.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 03, 2020 21:56 UTC