August 09, 2016
MP’s moko kauae worn with pride
Hauraki Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta returned to parliament from a four-week recess today with a moko kauae, the first female MP to wear the traditional moko.
Her colleague Louisa Wall says she's earned the honour through her 20 years of service, and it's also a collective statement from the Waahi Marae whanau.
"This is a significant year for Waikato Tainui. It's the tenth anniversary of King Tuheitia's reign, the tenth anniversary of the passing of Te Atairangikaahu, and for Nanaia it's the 15th anniversary of the death of her father, so for her to undertake the process at Waahi Pa with 13 others is incredibly significant and I couldn't be more proud of my mate," she says
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