01 October 2015

He wahine, he whenua, ka ngaro ai te tangata

Some of Maoridom’s distinguished women leaders are inviting Chris Brown to a powhiri at Nga Whare Waatea Marae.

Dame June Jackson, Dame June Mariu, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, Lady Tureiti Moxon and former Women’s Refuge CEO and Chair of the North Island Commissioning Agency Te Pou Matakana Merepeka Raukawa-Tait will be supporting entertainer Chris Brown’s application to come to New Zealand.

Spokesperson for the group Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says “No one supports Chris Brown’s past domestic violence history but it’s about going forward and sadly we still have major problems with Maori in this area.

We all believe that this isn’t about the person but the opportunity that must be afforded to those who have transgressed, to believe their past doesn’t have to be their future. Especially if they have paid their dues. Of course New Zealanders are consistent, we don’t do forgiveness very well.”

All the women leaders are issuing the invitation on behalf of the National Urban Maori Authority and will support Chris Brown’s application to come into New Zealand.

Merepeka says “We will welcome him to our marae and then we expect him to address our youth about his past indiscretions and what he has learnt about life. We are very much looking forward to him coming into the country.”

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