February 23, 2020
Waititi to stand for Maori Party in Waiariki
MEDIA STATEMENT
23 February 2020
Embargoed 12pm Sunday February 23 2020
Rawiri Waititi interview click here
Waititi to stand for Māori Party in Waiariki
Rawiri Waititi will stand for the Māori Party in Waiariki at September’s General Election.
The 39-year-year old’s candidacy was today confirmed in Rotorua.
Waiariki Māori Party Electorate Chair Verna Ohia-Gates said Waititi was an outstanding choice and the team will be working extremely hard over the next six months to win the seat.
“I would also like to congratulate other candidates who put their names forward for selection. The decision has been made by the members of Waiariki, now it's time to get Rawiri back around the table,” said Ohia-Gate.
Waititi said he had no initial plans to get back into politics“ he stood for Labour in 2014. But being immersed in iwi politics; constantly having to push for the recognition of mana motuhake, coupled with the dubious dealings of Whānau Ora, Ihumātao and Oranga Tamariki, he and his whānau decided it was necessary for him to jump back in the ring.
Photo: Rawiri Waititi and Dame June Mariu.
“I’ve seen the light”, Waititi said of crossing over to the Māori Party.
“There is an imminent need, now more than ever that Māori have a voice who solely prioritises their aspirations and their needs and that is unapologetic about doing so. The Māori Party is the only party who can do that” Waititi said.
“There is a new Māori generation breaking through, and we’re going to move ahead in this country but we have to be brave and courageous enough to believe in ourselves if we’re going to make a difference.”
“There is an uprising in the air; an indigenous revolution here at home and across the globe. We will not stand still or keep silent anymore”.
Photo supplied.
Waititi joins Debbie Ngarewa-Packer “ who is standing in the western Māori seat Te Tai Hauāuru as the first two confirmed Māori Party candidates.
Party President Che Wilson congratulated Waititi for taking on this challenge.
“We are assembling a very strong team and will be working hard in each of the Māori electorates,” Wilson said.
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