Press Release

MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira

Is MANA MAORI a Possibility?

Wednesday 23rd January

“It’s nice to be wanted but being the leader of the Maori Party right now is like being the captain of the Titanic just before it smacks into the iceberg” said MANA Movement Leader and Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, following requests from Maori Party members that he come back to lead the party.

“I’ve been asked by various kaumatua and kuia to come back because of the divisions within the leadership and the fact that the Maori Party seems to be dying” said Harawira “but there would need to be some clear baselines to any discussions”.

“The MANA Movement has a very clear focus of standing up for the poor and the dispossessed while the Maori Party seems happy to be ministers in a National government. Their role as National Party devotees would have to end”.

“The Maori Party leaders are at odds with one another and their on-going spats are destroying the party. Tariana is standing down; Pita needs to signal his willingness to work with me to heal the wounds of the past”.

“MANA is a movement of committed activists willing to step up and fight for the rights of the people, whereas the Maori Party is being led by people who seem old and tired. Maoridom deserves the strong and vibrant leadership that MANA can provide”.

“MANA is a vibrant and active political movement while the Maori Party has gone from a membership of some 24,000 when I was there, to just 600 today”.

“I think a MANA MAORI union is what Maori people want. I have made the offer in the past and I happily make that offer again in the best interests of the people”.

“I am going to Ratana this week and if the opportunity arises to further these discussions, I would welcome them”.

“The ball is in the Maori Party’s court …”

ENDS

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