Kaitaia looking forward to hosting the Final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

The Maori Party today, congratulated the New Zealand Rugby Football Union for all their hard work in preparing the successful bid to win the rights to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“This is a great day for Jock Hobbs and the team he led in putting forward New Zealand’s bid for the Cup” stated Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori Party spokesperson for sport and recreation.

“We would also like to commend Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in fronting up on the world stage, to support our bid” stated Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader of the Maori Party.

“We wonder whether Maoridom and Maori cultural icons will be once again called on to showcase the image of New Zealand to the world” stated Dr Sharples.

“The Maori Party believes it would be absolutely appropriate for tangata whenua to take our place, along with other New Zealanders, in presenting a bi-cultural face to the world”.

“Tana Umaga, for example, and his partner, who looked after their Maori-Samoan children while Tana represented the nation in Dublin, are an excellent manifestation of that bicultural face”.

“The hosting of the Rugby World Cup will be a fantastic opportunity for tangata whenua to be able to welcome manuhiri to Aotearoa” stated Dr Pita Sharples.

“We embrace the opportunity to demonstrate our unique identity including the protocols involved in extending welcome to visitors”.

“I would expect nothing less than a powhiri for every overseas team. This would be culturally correct” said Dr Sharples. “We must stop fearing the use of our cultural icons even though they are under attack in the swept-up hype around political correctness”.

Last word went to the Member for Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira.

“I will be happy to work with the people of Kaitaia to host the final for the World Cup. After all - the early missionaries and settlers thought the North was a good place to start and who am I to disregard our history?” stated Mr Harawira

ENDS

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