Willie Jackson to join prestigious Oxford Union debate

Labour MP Willie Jackson is jetting off to the UK tonight to take part in the prestigious Oxford Union debate, the first current politician since David Lange. He's also the first Māori.

The former Māori development minister is set to debate the motion: "This House Believes British Museums are not Very British."

Speaking to 1News, Jackson said the invite came as a surprise. Alongside an American author, he says he'll be debating two UK politicians on May 23.

Asked about the debate topic, the MP said: "The way that Britain has operated in a colonial sense, and the way the have operated with artefacts, shows that they absolutely are British and espouse British values."

Jackson said last week he was "honoured" to have been asked to participate in such a prestigious debate.

"Not since the famous debate by former Prime Minister, David Lange, has a member of parliament been asked to debate at the Oxford Union.

"Other New Zealanders such as the late Georgina Beyer and former Prime Ministers have addressed the Oxford Union, but have not participated in an actual debate.

“I am proud and humbled to be the first Māori to debate at the Oxford Union and to continue my advocacy for the rights of Māori at one of the most prestigious debating societies in the world."

Also speaking to 1News, museums expert Linda Tyler said it was a very timely debate.

"There has been so much talk about museums decolonising and part of the business is of course to try and give things back to where they've been looted from."

The British Museum alone holds more than 2000 Māori taonga, which Jackson will argue many of which should be returned.

"Being British also surely means that you've got to show some aroha, show some feelings and look at, you know, possible repatriation."

Jackson is headed to the UK with his wife, Tania Rangiheuea, and will return to New Zealand on May 26.