Māori Party pays tribute to Celia Lashlie

The Māori Party mourns the loss of yet another national icon whose life was devoted to improving the lives of others. “Last week we lost two outstanding rangatira in Dr Apirana Mahuika and Tama Huata. Today I am equally saddened to hear of the loss of Celia Lashlie,” says Co-Leader Marama Fox.

“We acknowledge all three of these great leaders who have passed away in the last week and pay tribute to the significant contribution each has made to our development as a country.”

Celia Lashlie is credited with being the first woman to work as a prison officer in a male prison in Aotearoa and wrote and spoke extensively about her work in prisons with tāne and wāhine.

“Celia believed that we will see the changes that we have been seeking in whānau when whānau themselves come to know and believe that their decisions matter, that they hold the destiny of their children in their hands,” says Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

Her stories explored her belief through the many projects she was involved with that the mothers, the grandmothers and the matriarchs in particular have the power to change the lives of whānau for the better, especially tamariki,” says Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Māori Party joins with the rest of Aotearoa in extending its aroha to Celia’s whānau. Haere atu rā e te māreikura.

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