INDEPENDENT NEWS

Party Heralds Matariki as a time of New Beginning

Published: Tue 27 Jun 2006 10:08 AM
Maori Party Heralds the Matariki as a time of New Beginnings
Dr Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia, Co-leaders, Maori Party
Monday 26 June 2006
The Maori Party is welcoming the arrival of Matariki as one of the most significant events of the Maori calendar with a tour around Aotearoa, to reconnect and be inspired by the wealth of tangata whenua wisdom.
“One of our pepeha refers to Matariki ahunga nui - Matariki the provider of plentiful food” said Dr Sharples. “The Maori Party is looking forward to the abundance of ideas that will come from the feedback of our people”.
The roadshow tour reflects the commitment the Maori Party Members of Parliament have made, to returning to their constituencies for regular feedback.
The first of these tours occurred in a series of hui in mid-April, giving information about the parliamentary process and progress to date.
This second tour will focus on encouraging active political participation through the Maori electoral option.
“We want to remind Maori that through taking up their right to enrol, they are also helping to set the number of Māori and general electorates for the next two elections in 2008 and 2011” said Tariana Turia.
“We are planning to go to the people - to the shopping malls, the streets, the small towns, talking about the Maori Electoral Option - which closes on 2 August”.
“We have already witnessed the great excitement some of our people have expressed when they realise that if all Māori electors enrolled on the Māori roll there could be as many as thirteen Māori seats”.
“Another focus as we look to the Matariki, is the importance of new beginnings” said Mrs Turia.
“Tomorrow I will be with Ngati Kahungunu to celebrate the launching of the Kahungunu Violence Free Strategy and Action Plan” said Mrs Turia. “I am so impressed by their leadership to bring about ‘A Violence Free Iwi’ and I will be very proud to sit with them tomorrow, in recognising the challenge of the work ahead”.
“My day will begin with a Matariki launch at 5am on Mangere Mountain” said Dr Sharples. “In the midst of the recent tragedies, I am confident that our community will welcome the opportunity to renew our commitment to each other, to our families, and to our future by taking part in a torch-lit family violence dawn vigil”.
The family violence vigil will acknowledge the families of the women who have been killed over the last ten years by someone who loves them.
Dr Sharples reports that today, after a series of hui, his team have worked with the Kahui whanau to meet with the police.
“Matariki gives us the opportunity for new growth, it is also a key navigational beacon for a way ahead” stated Dr Sharples. “The Maori Party is looking forward to the process of reconnection and renewal that will mark Matariki 2006 as a time of great meaning for us all”.
-
Maori Party Roadshow 2: Matariki Tour
JUNE
- 27th: 5am – Mangere Mountain (Tamaki) / Hastings (Kahungunu iwi Family violence strategy) / Tamaki / Kaitaia
- 28th: Masterton (Tariana); Kaitaia, Panguru, Kaikohe (Hone / Pita)
- 29th: Whangarei, Wellsford, Kaipara, Tamaki
- 30th: Aotea Centre, Birkenhead, Northcote, Henderson
JULY
- 1st: Mangere, Otara, Manurewa / Whanganui / Waimana
- 2nd: Avondale, Panmure, Otahuhu, Manurewa, Feilding
- 3rd: Taranaki, Waitara
- 4th: Taupo, Turangi, Waitotara
- 5th: Rotorua, Whakatane
- 6th: Te Puke, Tauranga
- 7th: Hamilton
- 8th: Clendon, Manukau
- 9th: Frankton, Tamaki
- 10th: Tainui
- 11th: Rotorua
- 12th: Tainui
- 13th: Gisborne, Wairoa,
- 14th: Napier
- 15th: Hastings
- 17th: Waikawa, Blenheim, Nelson
- 18th; Christchurch
- 19th: Invercargill
- 20th: Christchurch
- 21st: Wellington
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media