'Maori Party Celebrates Poll Results'

Dr Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia; Co-leaders, Maori Party

Thursday 31 August 2006

The rising popularity of the new cab on the rank, as demonstrated in the latest Herald DigiPoll survey, was greeted with great excitement by the "mighty Maori Party" today.

The result from a poll of 751 people reveals that the Maori Party has risen to 3.4% support up from 2.1% in April.

"We are feeling very humbled by the vote of confidence New Zealanders have placed in the Maori Party" said Tariana Turia, Co-leader of the Maori Party.

"Our message has been clear and consistent - we are in here to defend Maori rights and advance Maori interests, for the benefit of the nation. This is a message which clearly more and more New Zealanders are supporting".

"It is a great day" said Dr Pita Sharples. "No actually, it's a brilliant day. We take these latest polls with good heart as a sign of encouragement. We have been working so hard, and it is very pleasing that the fruits of our work are blossoming forth".

The Maori Party has delivered over 130 speeches in the debating chamber relating to current legislation before the House. This is in addition to other statements made in debates of a general nature, in select committee work, and in other parliamentary business.

"Our strength has been with the power of the people" said Dr Sharples. "We have spoken at hui up and down the country, and we have gone out to the people on three national tours, in order to bring their voice back into Parliament, na matou kua rangona te reo o te iwi i roto i te whare o nga raiona. Kaore matou e tuohu i mua i te tangata, te iwi kë ranei".

"We hope that we have sown many seeds in the fertile ground prepared by our relatives and ancestors who came before us, and who adorn the walls outside our offices" reflected Dr Sharples.

"As we approach the occasion of the first year for all four Maori Party MPs to celebrate our role as the independent Maori voice in Parliament, we have taken the polls as a good sign, to say kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui" said Mrs Turia.

"But we know we still have plenty more work to do" ended Mrs Turia. "This is only a beginning - indeed, every day for us is a start of a new beginning. We build on, and learn from, the achievements of yesterday".

ENDS

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