Maori Party looks forward to Waitangi Day

The Maori Party is looking forward to celebrating the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and taking stock of the health of our nation this Waitangi Day.

“Waitangi Day should be a celebration of all things New Zealand. From the haka, to our reo, to rugby, and our flag – this is the day where we get to reflect on what makes us proud to be from Aotearoa.”

“The most important thing to celebrate, however, is our people. Whether Maori, Pakeha, Pasifika, Asian or other – what we can all rejoice in is our identity as New Zealanders, and together we have come a long way in the last 174 years since the Treaty was signed.”

“Our past has not been perfect, and of course Waitangi Day is a time to reflect on that and the challenges that lie ahead of us.”

“We must not shy away from those who raise their flags and their voices on this day, because they do it to make our nation stronger. They do it to focus us on building a better nation for the future. They do it to ensure that people like me, and other politicians who come to Waitangi don’t just ‘talk the talk’ but indeed start ‘walking the walk.’”

“And it’s my job to front up, to hear them, and to give effect to their aspirations. To me, Waitangi Day is about accountability, my accountability back to the community that put me here.”

“I too have an aspiration for this nation, and it is one that I think many of us share. I want to live in a nation that believes in equality; I want to live in a country where poverty doesn’t exist, and people look after each other; I want to live in a nation where my culture is accepted not judged; where my language is spoken daily; and where our resources remain to sustain generations to come.”

“This is my vision for our Aotearoa, and on this coming Waitangi Day I encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate, but also to think about how we can make our communities stronger, safer, kinder, and more connected, and how we can make a difference to the future of our nation. If we can do that, then we are living the promise of the Treaty of Waitangi.”

ENDS

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