Hone Harawira, Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau

For the Maori Caucus of the Maori Party

11 October 2005

The Maori Party has wound up a series of thirty hui around the country. The four Members of Parliament have been on a whirlwind trip to visit as many members as possible within the space of five days.

From Invercargill in the South to Kaitaia in the North, the Maori caucus of the Maori Party has faced up to the people, seeking their guidance in the crucial stage of the post-election talks.

“We have been thrilled with the reception we have received at each of the hui” stated Hone Harawira, Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau.

“The hui have told us that this is the first time the politicians have come back to them - after an election - and let them have a say in the political process”.

“They have told us how much it has meant to them, that we honoured our word, and truly delivered on giving ‘power to the people’ said Hone Harawira.

“Throughout all of the seven Maori electorates the people consistently expressed their confidence in us, the four Maori Party MPs, to deliver the best deal that we could for our people”.

“It is truly humbling to be guided by the people who elected us into Parliament, and we will give their advice our absolute respect” said Mr Harawira.

“Throughout the process we advised our people that the discussions were continuing, and that negotiations have not yet completed” stated Mr Harawira.

“We go into the final stages of the negotiations with some very clear ideas about the policy priorities and the governing arrangements our people prefer”.

“It is very clear to us that our people have very strong feelings about the Foreshore and Seabed Bill, and the constitutional status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi” stated Mr Harawira. “They are also very interested in preparing for the Maori electoral option in April 2006. We look forward to feeding all of the policy ideas gathered through the hui into this new Parliament”.

ENDS

Hui were held in:

1. Invercargill

2. Dunedin

3. Christchurch

4. Kaikoura

5. Picton

6. Nelson

7. Wellington

8. Masterton

9. Whanganui

10. Taumarunui

11. New Plymouth

12. Porirua

13. Otaki

14. Tauranga

15. Opotiki

16. Murupara

17. Rotorua

18. Gisborne

19. Hastings

20. Mangere

21. Pukekohe

22. Tokoroa

23. Waitomo Valley

24. Hamilton

25. Te Atatu

26. Kaikohe

27. Kaitaia

28. Whangarei

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