Parliamentary Launch for 'Crossing the Floor'

Parliamentary Launch for 'Crossing the Floor - The Story of Tariana Turia'

Just over nineteen years after being first elected, Tariana Turia and the story of her transformative journey through Parliament will be launched in the new book Crossing the Floor - The Story of Tariana Turia on Monday 23rd November 2015.

While Parliament was not part of her life plan, her direct approach and determination to speak up ensured that she blazed a trail that few other politicians could emulate. In her eighteen years as an MP, she advanced thinking in the disability area, advocated for tobacco reform, spoke out about sexual abuse, violence and racism and led the Whānau Ora initiative. Importantly in 2004 in the turmoil of the Foreshore and Seabed debate, she made the decision to cross the floor, leading to the birth of the Māori Party.

As Tariana says in her book, “My determination to fight to protect our land and preserve our whenua for our future generations probably traces back to 1975. I will never forget when Dame Whina Cooper led the Māori Land March throughout the North Island. I had helped to feed the marchers when they reached Whanganui, and stayed out at Rātana Pā. The movement of marchers – Te Roopū Matakite – rallied behind the call, ‘Not one more acre of land’. It stirred something in me: a restless unease that lingered long after the marchers left the pā.”

This biography of Tariana Turia sees family members, iwi leaders, social justice advocates and politicians share their experiences of this remarkable woman.

The launch will be held at the Banquet Hall, Parliament, Wellington commencing at 12:00 midday on Monday 23rd November 2015.

ENDS

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