16 October 2015

Māori Party in rebuild mode

The Māori Party President will be calling on its members to get down to the mahi at this party’s Hui a Tau and AGM at Te Ōhaaki Marae in Huntly this weekend. “This is the time for action”, says Naida Glavish.

“Since the General Election last year, we’ve had to reflect on some honest truths and ask some hard questions”, she says.

The Māori Party lost its two founding co-leaders last year and had its poorest polling result since it was established in 2004.

“We’ve undertaken a strategic review of the party and agreed on a plan to guide us into the future. It’s now time for us to implement that plan.”

Ms Glavish is full of praise for the two Māori Party Co-leaders and the party leadership who have consolidated support throughout 2015.

“Our two Māori Party MPs play a critical role in Parliament. Through their endeavours we’ve secured significant gains in housing, Whānau Ora and support for the development of Māori land as well as advocating on key issues.”

She believes the “dynamic mix” of Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox is helping boost support for the party.

“It is an exciting and satisfying time to be part of the Māori Party”, she says.

This year party delegates at the AGM will debate remits on Māori representation in the 2016 local government elections, its candidate selection process and the relationship between Mana and the Māori Party. It will also be the first opportunity to promote the recently established Māori Party Rangatahi Council.

Ms Glavish says the party leadership is firmly focused on rebuilding the party and ensuring it is seen “as an enduring political voice for Māori aspirations”.

The AGM programme begins on Friday 5pm with a pōhiri at Te Ōhaaki marae and finishes on Sunday morning.

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