Māori Party

19 July 2018

EMBARGOED TILL 12PM THURSDAY 19 JULY 2018

Māori Party proud of Flavell’s legacy, congratulates him on new role

Kawea mai te Kawekawea i ngā rongo o te wā kia whakataukī ake te Wharauroa i te karere hirahira, kūī, kūī, whitiwhiti ora!

Whakahīhī ana te Pāti Māori i te rironga o tō mātau rangatira a Te Ururoa Flavell hei Kaiurungi mō Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

E mihi ana, e tangi ana, e koa ana nā runga i te mōhio he pukumahi, he mārama, he ngākau nui, ā, e mātau ana ki ngā kaupapa mātauranga.

Ko te aroha mōu, e kore e waikuratia.

The Māori Party congratulates Te Ururoa Flavell on his appointment as Kaiurungi - Chief Executive Officer of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and thanks him for his many years of service, support and aroha for the Māori Party, its kaupapa, and for communities across Aotearoa.

“Te Ururoa has been a staunch member of the Māori Party since its inception. He served 13 years as an elected Member of Parliament for Waiariki for our Party, and three years as Minister for Māori Development and Minister for Whānau Ora,” said Che Wilson, Māori Party President.

“During that time he made a significant contribution to our whānau and mokopuna through his work in Whānau Ora, Māori housing initiatives, te reo Māori and Māori land reform. He championed the pardon of Rua Kenana, the return of Whakarewarewa/Te Puia to iwi, and initiated work to complete a marae at Mātaura after more than 20 years.”

“Te Ururoa always walked his talk. If he wanted to inspire a focus on well-being and physical fitness (Moving the Māori Nation) he would start with himself - taking on Iron Māori while holding down a full-time leadership role. He has championed whānau leading strong actions on eliminating violence - he met with whānau; traveled on the beat with the Police; prepared always to listen and learn.”

“In addition, he worked tirelessly in the background for his whānau, hapū and iwi. He has personally mentored the new Māori Party leadership and has helped ensure a bright future for our Party moving forward,” said Mr Wilson.

Kaapua Smith, Māori Party Vice President Wahine said “We know Te Ururoa to be a man of integrity and service. His new role will see him continue this service albeit in a new way, and in a new waka. We are all so very proud of him and all that he has done for our communities both during and prior to his time in the Māori Party. He leaves us with a great legacy upon which to build, and our wholehearted support and tautoko for his new role.”

Marama Fox, Māori Party Co-Leader said “It’s been a pleasure serving with you Te Shark. Your contribution to our communities has been huge. Three years we worked alongside each other in Parliament and I know exactly how hard you worked, how much you did – and for that I thank you and wish you well.”

Te Ururoa has formally resigned from all offices he held for the Māori Party including Co-Vice-President (Tāne) and Co-Leader. These roles will remain vacant until the Party's Annual General Meeting, as it moves through its internal review and planning process.

E te Kaiurungi e Tū, kauria, terea, wāhia te moana. E oke e!

ENDS

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