July 14, 2013
Maori Party puts new old faces at top
The Maori Party has a new president and a new co-leader.
Ngati Whatua kuia, Naida Glavish, won the presidency vacated by Pem Bird, beating Tamaki Makaurau electorate chair, George Ngatai, for the role.
In her acceptance speech to the party’s annual meeting in Whakatane on Saturday, she said leadership in te ao Maori was about whakapapa in terms of a sense of destiny and taking one’s place as deemed by one’s ancestors and elders.
Ms Glavish says it was never about about one person, but about creating a collective across a range of skills and a range of needs.
Her first task was conducting the election for a new male co-leader, with Waiariki MP, Te Ururoa Flavell, the only nomination to replace Pita Sharples.
Mr Flavell said while Dr Sharples had offered to hand over his ministerial posts, his priority will be readying the party of next year’s election, including rebuilding its electorate organisations.
He says he’s keen to be a minister in whatever Government is formed after 2014.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd