A Maori United Nations delegate says the president of the General Assembly has come under fire for delaying its first indigenous conference.
John W. Ashe president of the 68th Session of United Nations General Assembly. Photo: FACEBOOK
The hui is set to take place in September, but Carl Hutchby of Whanganui iwi said the General Assembly president, John Ashe, is holding up preparations.
At an earlier UN meeting, Russia, India and Pakistan requested clarification of what "indigenous" means.
Mr Hutchby said after waiting for two weeks for a decision, a spokesperson for Mr Ashe told the First Nations delegations that he had not made up his mind.
Mr Hutchby said every country that was there stood up and strongly expressed their disappointment. He said every leader, including himself, told the UN that the world indigenous conference must go ahead.
Mr Hutchby said when he left New York at the end of June there was uncertainty over whether the gathering would still happen.
Te Manu Korihi is waiting for a response from the Mr Ashe about the accusation that he is delaying plans for the hui.
