Statement from Hone Harawira
Leader of MANA
Te Piringatahi Marae, West Auckland
MANA AGM
6TH August 2011

Tena koutou katoa.

Today has been a great day for MANA and an even better day for Aotearoa.

We've had people travel up from all round the country, and we're rolling
on to the General Election in November, with a simple message - MANA will
go into the election as the free and independent voice for Maori, for
workers and for the poor in this country.

Our research tells us that if every poor person in this country voted for
MANA we would capture half the seats in Parliament, and we intend doing
our best to give those people the voice they deserve.

MANA represents a newer, more honest, and more principled way of doing
politics.

MANA will promote policies that highlight the Treaty as the foundation of
our nation, and the basis by which we can provide immediate relief to
those in need and long term change that will return the power to those who
do the work.

MANA will not compromise on principle, regardless of the deals being
offered, and neither will we sit politely by while this, or any other
government, sells our nations assets, and prices our people into poverty.

MANA will promote candidates known for their unremitting fight for
justice, their track record in advocating for Maori issues, and their
leadership in the struggle for human rights here in Aotearoa.

MANA will bring a team to parliament like no other in living history, and
we invite those who believe in change to give their party vote to the only
party with the courage to make the changes we all desire.

Today I can confirm that MANA will contest all 7 Maori seats.

Maori from right throughout the country are walking away in droves from
those who partner up with the parties of the rich, and signalling that
they want the strong and independent leadership in parliament that MANA
represents, the kind of leadership that will generate the change that
Maori want.

MANA will also target the General Seats, especially those that represent
communities that have been savaged by cuts in health, education and
benefits, because even the poor deserve to have a champion in parliament.

We have already fielded calls from our Pacific cousins, beneficiary
advocates and people well-known and well-respected in their communities,
and we intend investing serious time and energy into pushing our policies
in those low-decile areas.

MANA will also be pushing a national campaign to encourage people to give
their party vote to MANA because MANA will be the only party with specific
policies aimed at reducing prices, creating jobs, sharing the tax burden
and keeping our nations assets in the peoples hands.

I have been genuinely humbled by the number of bright and talented people
who have offered their support to MANA, but I take on board the request
from our electorates that they be given more time to complete the process
by which they choose their candidates to ensure that MANA goes into the
election with the best possible team.

MANA's list will reflect the people we represent, and I am positive that
they will all be leaders in their own right. Some will be high-profile and
as a collective I believe that MANA stands a real chance of attracting a
good percentage of the list vote.

Our message is simple: party vote MANA if you want real change; party vote
MANA if you want an independent voice for Maori, for workers and for the
poor.

The energy at our AGM has been awesome. We now have a solid constitutional
base, I have been reconfirmed as party leader, Matt McCarten is our
national president, and John Minto and Annette Sykes have been appointed
as co-vice presidents and spokespeople for MANA as well.

We're ready to roll ...

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa

Key Points

* The Constitution of MANA has been ratified and will be available on
the MANA website.
* MANA has a robust process in place to select candidates and list
positions.
* Key policy platforms have been discussed in the areas of Employment,
Health, Treaty Settlements, Environment and Energy, Housing, Welfare, The
Cost of Living and Taxation and Education. Policy platforms will be
announced over the coming months.
* The Executive of MANA comprises of Matt McCarten (President), Hone
Harawira (Leader), Annette Sykes (Co Vice-President), John Minto (Co
Vice-President), Raewyn Harrison (Secretary), Stephanie Harawira
(Treasurer). The Executive is joined by representatives from all 7 Maori
electorates.
* MANA will contest all seven Maori Seats.
* MANA will target General Seats, especially those that represent
lower socio-economic communities.
* MANA will embark upon a strong party vote campaign.

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