Maori Party excited to begin election campaign
Dr Pita Sharples and Hon Tariana Turia, Co-leaders 12 September 2008

The Maori Party co-leaders said they are pleased that the election date has finally been set and they are looking forward to the election campaign getting under way.

“We were well-prepared for the last election, and this time we are even better prepared and in a much stronger position,” said Dr Pita Sharples.

“We are calling on all our supporters to step forward and do whatever they can to help make this the most successful election possible for the Maori Party, in the interests of the nation,” he said.

Co-leader Tariana Turia said she is well aware of the significance of the date for Morehu round the country.

“It may be seen as a tohu, that this election has been called on the very date when the Mangai, T W Ratana, had his vision 90 years ago, on 8 November 1918,” said Mrs Turia.

“The Mangai laid a number of issues before the Labour Prime Minister in 1936, in particular, recognition for the Treaty of Waitangi.

“Just in this term of Parliament, Labour supported the introduction of NZ First’s Bill to delete all references to the principles of the treaty in legislation, and they removed the Treaty from the education curriculum.

“Labour’s Maori MPs have voted against Maori Party efforts to put Treaty clauses into the Immigration Advisors Licensing Bill, the Policing Bill, and the Emissions Trading Scheme. They even opposed an amendment to the ETS legislation to protect the value of treaty settlements reached with Ngai Tahu and other iwi.

“This election gives voters a chance to judge very clearly the performance of each of the parties on Treaty issues.

“The Treaty of Waitangi, and the kaupapa and tikanga of our tupuna, are the solid foundation for the Maori Party to advance the interests of all New Zealanders, and we look forward to wide support this election,” said Mrs Turia.

ENDS

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