Māori Party president Che Wilson has announced John Tamihere and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer as the new Co-leaders of the Māori Party.
The Māori Party National Executive confirmed Ngarewa-Packer – standing in the Te Tai Hauāuruelectorate and Tamihere in Tāmaki Makaurau – following today’s Special General Meeting.
Wilson said the membership of the Māori Party were united in agreement as both candidates bring outstanding leadership and mana to the leadership positions.
“We are announcing the Co-leaders now so that they can represent our people during this difficult time and engage in leader-to-leader kōrero,” Wilson said.
“Now is the time for kotahitanga, we must use our different strengths and work together to fightCovid-19 and lead a way forward for our people.
“Debbie has demonstrated her leadership abilities time and time again. Her leadership played a key role in the recent landmark win on seabed mining in South Taranaki, and she has mobilised her iwi in response to Covid-19, working daily with other iwi leaders and the Crown to ensure that there is aMāori pandemic response.
“John has a wealth of leadership experience, which we’ve seen through his many roles throughouthis career including his current role as CEO of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency where he had the foresight to source and purchase bulk supplies two weeks before lock down. This meant whānau in Struggle Street have been given hope.
Wilson said despite the Māori Party not being in Parliament “our voice must be represented in ongoing cross political party discussions.
“We support the Government’s efforts, but delays in Māori-specific pandemic responses and their unprecedented emergency powers are why it is so important that we have a voice. Our people need us to constructively hold the Government to account, now more than ever.”
Wilson also acknowledged the mahi by Waiariki and Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidates Rawiri Waititi and Heather Skipworth.
“I am proud that our people are leading the Māori response to Covid-19 on all levels,” he said.
Interesting stuff….my how a small virus can make the political world go all topsy turvy.
Yawn…..
Good luck to them but I don’t think many people trust John Tamihere. I’m sure Labour would work with them but I hope they remember the last time the Maori party vote was overwhelmingly for Labour and yet they got sucked in by John Key’s promises and got into bed with National. They paid dearly for that turnaround.
If…the Māori Party said no to forming a Govt. or supporting Nashnull, right now, some might look at giving them a second chance. But if they are determined to duplicate the Winston fence sitting approach–then the Māori Party can sod right off. When “at the table” last time around, the MP with their mentor John Key, saw the economic and social position of the mainly working class Māori population go backwards fast.
ONE BIG YAWN – this is the party that got the crumbs despite sitting at the table.
John Tamihere is an extremely flawed character have people forgotten his ravings about front bums. Totally disgusting one wonders what any gay child of his would do, surely this is the sort of shit that young gay people have had to put up with in their lives.
I loathe the man and in the past have been deeply disappointed in the party. NOT may I hasten to add that I think Labour have ever done anything they should have for their big Maori constituency.
Michal: “John Tamihere is an extremely flawed character have people forgotten his ravings about front bums.
Heh! Yes indeed, Mr Frontbum! Who on earth could take him seriously after that?
A fortiori, I was under the impression that the Maori party was renewing its leadership, by appointing young, talented people. This may be true of Ngarewa-Packer, but even his best friends wouldn’t describe Tamihere as “young”; and I’m doubtful about the “talented” bit as well.
The Maori party cannot help itself, it seems: when the chips are down, it apparently reverts to the patriarchalism which underpins Maori society, and appoints an old(ish) bloke. A lost cause, really.
Michael – Tamihere referred to women as front bums, and this is what women have had to put up with from neanderthals like him all our lives. And don’t forget the Roast Busters shenanigans and either. His perceptions of women appear so flawed, that he simply doesn’t cut it representing any women.
Just because he’s Maori – and looking for a job – doesn’t mean that he’s the best person to be leading a Maori party; what’s more, we probably all know younger Maori men who would be worthier and more talented representatives than he is; as a mother of daughters, I’m flummoxed that other mothers – or anyone – would accept him in this position. He degrades us.
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