June 14, 2022
Rātana bonds strengthened in cabinet reshuffle
Senior minister Kelvin Davis says yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle strengthens the bond between Labour and Rātana.
It’s a bond that goes back to the agreement between church founder Tahupōtiki Wiremu and the first Labour government of Michael Joseph Savage.
Kris Faafoi’s departure means Rātana adherent Kiritapu Allen becomes Justice Minister.
And when Speaker Trevor Mallard retires in August he will be replaced with not one but two mōrehu.
“Soraya Peke-Mason who’s deeply attached to the Rātana whānau up in Whanganui there, she comes into the house so we’ve got another wahine Māori joining our Māori caucus and of course Adrian Rurawhe becomes the second Māori Speaker and the first Rātana – I don’t think Peter Tapsell was – so it’s a big day for the Rātana whānau and it just goes to strengthen the bonds between Labour and Rātana,” Mr Davis says.