MEDIA STATEMENT

6 August 2014

Nancy Tuaine announces Maori Party candidacy for Whanganui General electorate seat

Treaty negotiator, Te Oranganui Chief Executive and former head of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board, Nancy Tuaine, has stepped up to the challenge of Election 2014, by announcing her candidacy for the Whanganui Electorate General Seat.

“The signing of our Whanganui River Deed of Settlement, Ruruku Whakatupua, was such an amazing day – a day we have been waiting for over 160 years since the first legislation in the 1850s.”

“At our signing on Tuesday, the sun shone on a new chapter, as the iwi across Whanganui joined with the Crown, with non-Maori, and indeed with a distinguished lineup of ambassadors from right across the globe. It signalled a new start in our journey in nationhood; and gave me the courage to know we can create a stronger future.

“I am standing for a General Seat in support of the new generation of Maori Party candidates who represent those who have proven records of working for their people and in their communities”

“I am standing beside our candidate for Te Tai Hauauru, Chris McKenzie. Chris has what it takes to nurture the legacy Aunty Tariana has entrusted to us to carry on. He is a man who is grounded in kaupapa me ona tikanga Maori - the values and the principles by which our party has always operated.

“I am proud to be part of the new cohort going forward. My work in Te Oranganui; with the Trust Board, and in many areas across this electorate has given me great confidence that the people of this region want to lead the nation forward, in the way in which we come together as a community.

“We have gone through so much in this last decade and more – Pakaitore, the ‘h’ in Whanganui debate, surviving the floods and inclement weather, and of course the challenges that threaten to disrupt community health and wellbeing. We have become stronger, and more united in our vision for our country. The Maori Party has always represented the hope and the promise that we can be proud of our indigeneity, value our cultural differences, while still working to ensure every family has a pathway to achieve their aspirations- that’s Whanau Ora”.

“Yesterday, at our signing, we remembered the passionate sacrifice and commitment of people like Koro Titi Tihu, Hikaia Amohia, Sir Te Atawhai Archie Taiaroa and so many others who always believed we could work with the Crown, to advance the health and wellbeing of both the Whanganui River and its people”.

“I can think of no greater way to honour their life’s work than to stand up and be counted; to say that our future matters to me. Uncle Rangitihi Tahuparae once said to us this Waka is moving you can either stand on the bank and throw stones or you can get in it and move forward.

I totally believe that the Maori Party has been an effective example of how the Maori world view can enhance the Governance of a Nation and I want to be part of that future”.

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