Misty Hinemoa Harrison - Mana List Number 5

A 24 year old from Wanganui who grew up learning the Maori language and tikanga through Kohanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Maori and Kura Maori (bilingual) and who is today studying for a Masters in Maori Law and Philosophy at Te Wananga o Raukawa has been chosen as MANA’s rangatahi candidate for the coming general election.

Misty Harrison, who is placed at number 5 on the party list in recognition of MANA’s support for rangatahi, says she is extremely grateful and appreciative for the immense work and energy of the people who have contributed to the success of Kohanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura and Wānanga movements which have allowed her to retain the values that have been passed down by her ancestors.

“I salute you all. And as a symbol of my appreciation I will strive to enhance such movements for the betterment to the health and well-being of Māori people.”

“Since a child, alongside my mother, I have always been active within whānau, marae and hapū activities including kapa haka, learner and teacher of education, catering, cleaning, learning waiata and kōrero tawhito, learning reo powhiri (karanga) and ultimately practicing the tikanga of our marae at Parikino, and people.”

Misty Harrison says a year spent in Brazil as an AFS exchange student in 2005 made her aware of the state of poverty many humans live under and gave her an insight to where many whānau, hapū and iwi could possibly end up given the visions of the current government.

“My involvement with MANA is driven by a sincere passion to tackle the effects of colonisation in Aotearoa, and to prevent such a reality for our people."

“I have chosen MANA MOVEMENT of the PEOPLE because of the extreme approaches that we are committed to take which, when successful, will see extreme change for the advancement of all people in Aotearoa."

“The need for extreme change and extreme measure derives from the extreme injustice that tangata whenua have endured, and as a rangatahi I highly support this stand.”

She says many strong, kaupapa MANA driven rangatahi are thrilled at the stance that the MANA Movement is making with policies such as no GST [on food], free education, the Hone Heke Financial Transactions Tax, raising the minimum wage,[youth rate] lowering the voting age to sixteen and compulsory Te Reo Maori for all.

“170 years of trial and tribulation deserves, and more importantly is overdue for a positive result. A revolution must happen and this is where rangatahi want to be involved, and where I will attempt to make this happen.

“My ideal vision for MANA Rangatahi is for us to represent those [of us rangatahi] who have entered into Te Ao Marama, the world of enlightenment. MANA Rangatahi will restore the balance against the negative statistics and image that Māori rangatahi over-represent. We will work towards establishing ways where our rangatahi in te pō can meet us in Te Ao Marama.

“My primary goal is to restore our relationship with Papatūānuku where we can actively reclaim Tino Rangatiraranga.”

“MANA Rangatahi wants to go back to the philosophies of oneness between tangata whenua and the land. Hei oranga mō te whānau, hapū me te iwi.”

Misty Harrison says we need to acknowledge He Wakaputanga o te rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni, and Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding documents as to how tangata whenua will manage manuhiri of another land in our midst.

“I await the time where we have a Māori Parliament or there is a system based on Tikanga and Kaupapa Māori to regulate tangata whenua.”

She says she is honoured to be part of the MANA movement which is the way for a better world.

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