Auckland 26 June 2005

Maori Party Announces List
Matariki Launch,

The Maori Party is today delighted to announce a list of sixty-two candidates, a list which represents the face of our future.

“We must take bold action to build the nation of tomorrow” said Party President, Professor Whatarangi Winiata. “It is for that reason that we have taken seriously the need to give voice to those who will make up our future – those who represent our diversity as a nation, a nation of many peoples”.

“Included in our list are tangata whenua, pakeha, pasifika peoples, Chinese. Other ethnic communities have also expressed a desire to work closely with us on further policy development” stated Professor Winiata.

“It also demonstrates the commitment our candidates have given to enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, particularly renown Treaty practitioner and author, Robert Consedine, and former Waitangi Tribunal director Morrie Love”.

“We are delighted with the inclusion of rangatahi at all levels of the party, and are thrilled that in our top forty, we have five outstanding candidates under the age of forty” stated Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party. “We are particularly excited to have top Olympic ski champion Simon Wi Rutene, and environmentalist Glenis Philip-Barbara in our top five. Our youngest candidate is only 19 years old (Tell Kuka).”

“The skills, strategic experience and knowledge of the candidates standing for the Maori Party has blown us away” stated Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader of the Maori Party.

“Our top forty include a number of company directors, the chief executive of a national organisation to advance literacy in Aotearoa (Bronwyn Yates), chief executives of community education, a former President of the Maori Women’s Welfare League (Aroha Reriti-Crofts), the former chief advisor of Maori health, (Dr Tony Ruakere) and a huge range of entrepreneurial talent”.

“Included in the expertise are auditors for quality standards in health (Te Orohi Paul) and tertiary education (Dr John Harre), managers of services across a range of District Health Boards, and leading edge specialists in areas such as; commercial and customary fisheries (Ngahiwi Tomoana), resource management, forensic psychiatry (Charles Joe), organic horticulture, violence prevention (Daryl Gregory), and peak oil (Anne FitzSimon).

The list also includes union delegates, business mentors, social service workers, expert practitioners in health, organic horticulture, peace and social justice; teachers at kohanga, kura, wananga and across mainstream schools, writers, performers, a music producer and audio engineer (Solomon Matthews) and a national champion of tae kwon do (Brett Cowan)”.

Top Forty

1. Tariana Turia
2. Dr Pita Sharples
3. Atareta Poananga
4. Simon Wi Rutene
5. Glenis Philip-Barbara
6. Robert Consedine
7. Pakake Winiata
8. Morrie Love
9. Angeline Greensill
10. Te Ururoa Flavell
11. Billy Maea
12. Monte Ohia
13. Te Orohi Paul
14. Bronwyn Yates
15. Charles Joe
16. Mama Tere Strickland
17. Malcolm Peri
18. Dr Tony Ruakere
19. Hori Awa
20. Brett Cowan
21. Josie Peita
22. Anne Fitzsimons
23. Abe Hepi
24. Ngahiwi Tomoana
25. Tureiti Moxan
26. Aroha Reriti Crofts
27. Dr John Harre
28. Rangi McLean
29. Mere Tipene
30. Tell Kuka
31. Bill Puru
32. Mere Rawiri-Tau
33. Richard Orzecki
34. Maraea Ropata
35. Sonny Hoskings
36. Daryl Gregory
37. Rangi Tawhiao
38. Dean Te Hae
39. Andre Meihana
40. Solomon Matiu

Remaining list in alphabetical order
Kororia Abraham
Adell Dick
Gina Haremata-Crawford
Raewyn Harrison
Dave Hawea
Celia Hotene
Ngatai Huata
Awa Hudson
Reimana Johnson
Rahuia Kapa
Aaron Makutu
Rowena Maniapoto-Anderson
Kelvin Martin
Kevin Moore
Raumati Para
Maanu Paul
Sam Rerekura
Merehora Taurua
Jim Tipene
Francis Waaka
Cissy Walker
David King

ENDS

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