Headline: Marama Davidson selected as Green Party candidate for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
Source: Metiria Turei MP – http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/marama-davidson-selected-green-party-candidate-ikaroa-r-whiti
I am standing for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti to continue my kaupapa Māori passion for social justice and protecting our environment
Marama Davidson has been selected as the Green Party candidate to contest the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election.
Ms Davidson has worked for the Human Rights Commission as an educator, is a writer and commentator in Māori media and is currently working for the Owen Glenn Inquiry into family violence and child abuse.
Ms Davidson is a mother of six children. Her mother hails from Te Araroa and currently resides in Ruatoria, where Marama and her family lived until five years ago. Ms Davidson’s father is actor Rawiri Paratene.
“I am standing for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti to continue my kaupapa Māori passion for social justice and protecting our environment,” said Green Party candidate Marama Davidson.
“I want to give Ikaroa-Rāwhiti voters a real choice on the big issues that matter in the electorate. We need to ensure Māori decide on whether oil drilling happens in our rohe and work on creating sustainable jobs that pay our people a living wage.
“I have supported grassroots campaigns for issues many Māori feel strongly about, but I can also help untangle the politics affecting our people at the national level.
“I have been an educator, advocate and activist following in the footsteps of my parents and their commitment to the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori in the 1970s.
“I believe Māori women are kaitiaki for our people and for Papatūānuku, yet we are often scrambling to be heard.
“Māori and communities everywhere are hungry for voices that can speak honestly to the challenges that ordinary whānau are facing – and I have always done my best to amplify that voice.
“I am standing for the Green Party because it has a tradition of intelligent activism, supporting mana mōtuhake and relationships that honour Te Tīriti at all levels of society.
“The Greens will be a significant part of the next government and will stay true to the kaupapa of the Party Charter that more than any other party upholds the rights and responsibilities of indigenous peoples and our Treaty partner,” said Ms Davidson.
“I am humbled and excited that someone with Marama’s standing in the Māori community was prepared to put her name forward to represent the Green Party in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.
“Marama has demonstrated commitment for many years as a staunch defender of indigenous rights, particularly for women and children.
“Marama has a strong following across the electorate and we are looking forward to supporting her campaign that offers Ikaroa-Rāwhiti voters the opportunity to have a woman represent them in Parliament.”
“The Green Party is taking this by-election seriously. We are the third largest party in Parliament and it would be great to be joined by another Māori Green MP,” said Mrs Turei.
—
