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January 23, 2023
Politics ugly place for wāhine says Ngāi Tahu leader
Waatea Team
Posted On January 23, 2023
Download AudioNgāi Tahu leader Lisa Tumahai says there’s an ugly side to New Zealand that is reflected in the sustained attacks on female leaders like Jacinda Arden and Nanaia Mahuta.
Ms Tumahai says Ms Ardern’s resignation reflects her own retirement as kaiwhakahaere of the South island iwi – she felt there was nothing left in the tank and it was time to let new leaders step forward early.
She has observed the personal toll politics takes on wāhine, and it’s hard to screen out the negativity.
“I’ve had some threats over the Covid period as a Māori leader who stepped out the front and championed the cause and unfortunately some of those were from our own Ngāi Tahu people. So it is an ugly place and a scary place when that kind of stuff starts to happen,” Ms Tumahai says.
She says cultural change needs to happen in the schools.
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