One Pacific and why the Māori Party?
Creating and making history
It was history in the making when One Pacific signed He Kawenata, a covenant, an agreement with the Māori Party on 28
June 2017 in Auckland.
It is the first time in history that Pasefika people and Māori have signed any form of formal agreement between
themselves. ‘This is history in our and my lifetime’ says Aiiloilo Dr. Elise Puni, Co-Leader and representing Samoa.
Māori Party made He Kawenata possible for Pacific people
According to Dr. Joe Williams, Co-Leader and representing Cook Islands, ‘…One Pacific approached the Māori Party. The
Kawenata was only made possible by the Māori Party being accepting and willing to forge a Partnership with Pacific
people and their communities.’
We are a priority and we do matter to the Māori Party
No other political party has ventured into signing an agreement with Pacific people to advance and progress their
aspirations in Aotearoa.
Self-determination with a united and independent voice
He Kawenata is based on mutual respect with ‘mana and mamalu’ (dignity). It unites the two parties in the political
arena. It speaks with a strong clear voice that is independent, but united. It speaks of their self-determination. Mana
Motuhake!
Māori Party allows for the voice of Pacific to be heard
The voice of One Pacific is in unison with that of the Māori Party but also distinct. One Pacific collaborates with the
Māori Party in developing Pacific policies as their voice to be heard through the Māori Party policy manifesto.
With other political parties, the voice of Pacific is not heard in their policy manifesto.
Pacific to nominate their own Pacific Candidates
‘Māori Party honours Pacific communities by giving Pacific people the right and privilege to nominate their own Pacific
leaders as Candidates for the Māori Party’, says Ikamafana Tameifuna, Co-Leader and representing Tonga.
No other political party has given Pacific people an opportunity to nominate their own Pacific Candidates to be
considered by their Party as General Seat Candidates.
ENDS