April 23, 2013
World watching Wall bill waiata
Manurewa MP, Louisa Wall, says Māori culture added an extra dimension to New Zealand’s debate about same sex marriage.
Ms Wall’s marriage equality bill passed last week, focusing worldwide attention on this country’s social reforms.
She says what brought home the different approach was an interview she did with the BBC the morning after.
“Now I was all geared up for this quite intense interview and they were completely preoccupied with us singing Pokarekare Ana and our indigenous culture and – 'why do you a song after someone spoke?'. They were all captivated by the beauty of the singing and the fact that when you look at other images around the world where legislation such as this has gone through, there’s usually caring and jeering. I think that we’ve gained alot of respect from around the world in the way we conducted this whole debate and discussion,” she says.
Louisa Wall says she’s pleased and a little jealous that Pakuranga MP, Maurice Williamson, was invited on talk host Ellen Degeneres’ show after his humorous 4-minute speech in support of the bill became a Youtube hit.
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