Maori Party to establish Peace Week
The Maori Party has pledged it will establish a Peace Week, from 31 October to 5 November, to honour the heroism and the
peacemaking heritage established at Parihaka.
“Today is a very important day to acknowledge a unique period of our cultural heritage” said Tariana Turia, Co-leader of
the Maori Party and MP for Te Tai Hauauru.
“At midday, the commemoration march that started off at Toroanui Marae in Parihaka last night, will arrive at
Parliament".
“The people of Parihaka have long advocated for the 5 November to become a national day to learn our own history, and to
recognize the significance of Parihaka in the promotion of peace and goodwill”.
“Earlier this year, I had the honour of supporting a petition to Parliament which called for 5 November to become
associated in the minds of New Zealanders as the starting point for a legacy of peace making
“I would be really surprised if anyone in New Zealand genuinely recognizes the commemoration of Guy Fawkes Day as a
memorial to the infamous arsonist of some four hundred years ago in the English Parliament; or indeed whether the
relevance of vampire, ghosts and ghouls linked to the American celebration of Halloween has meaning for our country”.
“The Maori Party believes that we should, instead, be proud of our own local response to violence as leading the world
in the spirit of peace – to provide an opportunity for communities to celebrate the practice of passive resistance”.
“The events that happened at Parihaka on 5 November 1881 are not ones to be proud of – but the response lead by Te Whiti
o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi is one that we could all be proud of”.
“We would like to encourage all New Zealanders to learn about the heroic expression of peace that emerged from Parihaka,
and to create a new meaning to the 5 November as a national day to honour peace, respect and non-violence” .
ENDS
Authorised by Tariana Turia, Parliament Buildings, Wellington