Former National MP slams Māori police car

  • 11/09/2017
The police car drew criticism on twitter.
The police car drew criticism on twitter. Photo credit: New Zealand Police

A koru themed police car has drawn criticism on social media due to perceived insensitivity.

Tau Henare, a Member of Parliament for the National Party from 2005-2014, spoke out about his distaste for the design on social media. 

Mr Henare took to Twitter on Sunday to express his distaste, tweeting "51% of #NZs #PrisonPopulation is #Māori. So this #bullsh*t is about the most #insensitive #barbaric and #moronic thing I've ever seen. "

Other users joined in with one tweeting "Māori language isn't welcome in our education system only the justice system apparently ", and another user editing photos of the car to replace the word "Pirihimana" (Police) with the word "Kopa" (Lame).

The car was unveiled by the New Zealand Police on Monday to make the beginning of Te Wiki o te reo Māori (Māori Language Week).

Newshub.