January 23, 2019
History of hope in Rātana connection
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The co-chair of Labour's Māori caucus says attending the annual commemoration of the birth of prophet Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana is also a celebration of the continuing relationship between the movement and Labour.
Willie Jackson says the relationship meant Labour maintained a close relationship with Māori through the contributions of historical figures like Matiu Rata, Whetu Tirikatene Sillivan and Koro Wetere, and today's MPs Adrian Rurawhe, Rino Tirikatene and Louisa Wall.
"Unless you know the history you don't understand why we go there but it is a history that was born in hope and aspiration for Māori and that is something Rātana talked about many years ago and hopes of representation and benefits coming back to Māori and I think in a lot of ways that has happened through the Māori-Labour connection so tomorrow we go on, we remember and celebrate that and we look to the future," he says.
Because Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is overseas the delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, whose New Zealand First Party has also developed bonds with Rātana.
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