12 June 2008
E moe Matua Monte Ohia
Green Party MP Metiria Turei expresses her deepest sorrow to the whanau of Monte Ohia who passed away in Christchurch
last night.
"The loss of such a wonderful father, husband and koro is devastating and the Greens' thoughts are with his whanau and
his colleagues tonight.
"Monte was a great hustings mate during the 2005 election, where I got to know him as the Maori Party candidate for Te
Tai Tonga. We enjoyed our work together as he was such a respectful, thoughtful and powerful advocate for Maori and
education.
"We talked just a few weeks ago and Monte was excited about the coming election. This has been a terrible tragedy for
his Maori Party colleagues.
"The tragedy for all of us is the untimely loss of a rangatira who, while already a great leader in his community, was
set to become a great political leader as well. We lose too many wonderful experienced men to early deaths. His is a
great loss and the Greens' sympathies are with all his people today," Mrs Turei says.
Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is saddened by the death of Monte Ohia.
Ms Fitzsimons says she first got to know Monte during the 2005 election campaign, and was impressed with his politics,
his dedication, and his sincerity.
"He was a hardworking and principled man and we shared similar views on many political issues. Monte's death is a deep
loss to his family and the Maori Party and to New Zealand."
ENDS