April 07, 2014
Labour candidate returns to roots
Labour’s Waiariki candidate believes growing up in both the hau kainga and the city gives him a broad understanding of the challenges facing Maori people.
Rawiri Waititi was raised in Whangaparaoa on the East Coast and in west Auckland, where he worked for Te Whanau o Waipareira before returning to take up role with Te Whanau a Apanui.
He says in the past Labour was seen as going away from its traditional values, but it is now reconnecting with Maori.
"I’ve been questioned about why I joined a party that did the foreshore and seabed and all that sort of stuff but I believe we need to work hard in returning Labour to its founding values and principles which are about people, equal access and resource for all New Zealanders,"
Mr Waititi says.
He’s putting the effort in to winning the seat held by Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell, rather than running third like the Labour candidate last election.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH RAWIRI WAITITI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTY5NDE=
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