Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
One Pacific and Why The Māori Party?
One Pacific and why the Māori Party?
Creating and making history
It was history in the making when One Pacific signed He Kawenata, a covenant, an agreement with the Māori Party on 28 June 2017 in Auckland.
It is the first time in history that Pasefika people and Māori have signed any form of formal agreement between themselves. ‘This is history in our and my lifetime’ says Aiiloilo Dr. Elise Puni, Co-Leader and representing Samoa.
Māori Party made He Kawenata possible for Pacific people
According to Dr. Joe Williams, Co-Leader and representing Cook Islands, ‘…One Pacific approached the Māori Party. The Kawenata was only made possible by the Māori Party being accepting and willing to forge a Partnership with Pacific people and their communities.’
We are a priority and we do matter to the Māori Party
No other political party has ventured into signing an agreement with Pacific people to advance and progress their aspirations in Aotearoa.
Self-determination with a united and independent voice
He Kawenata is based on mutual respect with ‘mana and mamalu’ (dignity). It unites the two parties in the political arena. It speaks with a strong clear voice that is independent, but united. It speaks of their self-determination. Mana Motuhake!
Māori Party allows for the voice of Pacific to be heard
The voice of One Pacific is in unison with that of the Māori Party but also distinct. One Pacific collaborates with the Māori Party in developing Pacific policies as their voice to be heard through the Māori Party policy manifesto.
With other political parties, the voice of Pacific is not heard in their policy manifesto.
Pacific to nominate their own Pacific Candidates
‘Māori Party honours Pacific communities by giving Pacific people the right and privilege to nominate their own Pacific leaders as Candidates for the Māori Party’, says Ikamafana Tameifuna, Co-Leader and representing Tonga.
No other political party has given Pacific people an opportunity to nominate their own Pacific Candidates to be considered by their Party as General Seat Candidates.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
National Maori Authority: Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
NZ Government: Comprehensive Partnership The Goal For NZ And The Philippines
DoC: Canterbury Spotted Skink In Serious Trouble
Te Pāti Māori: Oranga Tamariki Cuts Commit Tamariki To State Abuse
NZCTU: Inflation Data Shows Need For A Plan On Climate And Population
Statistics New Zealand: Annual Inflation At 4.0 Percent
