January 22, 2015
Fox making new tradition
The political parties will be making their pitches to Maoridom today at Ratana Pa.
What used to be a Labour Party ritual acknowledging the party’s links with the movement has in the MMP era, become something all parties want to be a part of, given that morehu or church followers tend to be more likely to vote than other Maori.
Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox is looking forward to making the trip as an MP for the first time, especially as her predecessor Tariana Turia is to be honoured.
She’s keen to the gauge the degree of support that can be expected from the morehu.
"I remember Tariana saying to me once if Ratana had been alive today he would be putting his weight behind the Maori Party, so it’s an evolving time and an evolving world and a number of people follow the traditions of their fathers but I think it’s time to look around and make our own traditions," Ms Fox says.
Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First will be welcomed on to the marae at 10, and the Government with its support parties is expected an hour later.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARAMA FOX CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjU2NzA=
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