Monday 1 July 2013

Maori Party Here to Stay

The Maori Party has dismissed the Labour Party leader’s lines that the Maori Party will ‘disappear’ as wishful thinking on his behalf.

“This is the same man who began the Ikaroa Rawhiti campaign with a promise to “terrorise” other Maori candidates standing for the seat,” says Maori Party Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples.

“Our traditional wisdom, our whakatauaki – help guide us in what is right. One such saying is ‘Ka pai ki muri, Ka pai ki mua’ - in essence what goes on at the front of the marae is only as good as what goes on behind the scenes. Or - make sure your own house is in order before you start throwing grenades at another.”

“Labour won on the night, but they have lost 40% of the vote since 2011. While Meka got the most votes as a single candidate, in fact Maori showed a preference for tino rangatiratanga on Saturday night.”

“The Maori Party is and always has been driven by the aspirations of tangata whenua to achieve self-determination for whanau, hapu and iwi within their own land. Sorry Mr Shearer, but a mainstream vehicle such as Labour – with its less than honourable track record against Maori interests – still fails to deliver on the Treaty promise and the voters know so.”

The Maori Party and Mana Party candidates captured 45% of the vote versus 42% for Labour.

“Our people decided in favour of Maori leading things – versus being an appendage to Labour. Labour also lost the most of any party since the last election. Parekura won 61% of the Ikaroa Rawhiti vote in 2011. Labour’s percentage of the vote dropped by a massive 20%. The Maori Party basically kept its vote the same.”

“There is a clear message from our people, that Maori want their people leading the way and standing up for them. The truth is we have maintained our position. It is clear that our people favour an independent Maori voice.”

“The Maori Party will always be distinguished by the importance we place on kaupapa Māori – that means looking at every issue guided by Maori philosophies and standing up for Maori solutions.”

“We will not fly the white flag simply because others believe it is in their best interest for us to do so. Our motivation remains as it ever was.”

“We are a party for all citizens of this country a party - whose policies and practices derive from kaupapa tuku iho which are values that provide for the well-being of all. We have a vision for a nation of cultural diversity and richness - and we uphold our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of this land.”

“And on those goals, we will never give up,” says Dr Sharples.

ends

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