Maori Party stands again in Te Tai Tokerau for 2020

In a press release, Facebook and Instagram post, the Maori Party announced their candidate for the 2020 Election.

At this point, I'm not seeking to promote any particular candidate over any others at this stage.

As I tend to do though in my entries, I'll post up the numbers for people to see.

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Quick Look at

Political Stats for Te Paati Maori in the Electorate of Te Tai Tokerau

Year	Candidate Votes	Party Votes	Win/Lose
2005	9,965	6,151	Win
2008	12,019	6,204	Win
2011	3,114	2,208	Lose
2014	2,579	2,300	Lose
2017	-	1615	-
2020	?	?	?

Source: https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/

Image Credit: https://www.parliament.nz/

NB: In terms of my own vote and politics this year, I am living in the Te Tai Tokerau Electorate and as of writing, remain somewhat undecided.

Advice for my former Party - the Maori Party

There are some who'd advise against me sharing these thoughts and ideas, saying that 'I should not look to my past'. Others who may say 'Is there a point to you saying this?'. Others still may contend that 'It does nothing'... or even worse.. I may be called something of a traitor.

I do NOT write this for any of those people particularly.

I write for those genuine friends, family and associates of mine who remain in, who support, who vote for the Maori Party... but who are OPEN to a different view.

Whanau...

I can not categorically say that the Maori Party in 2017 had a highly successful campaign. In hindsight, I think they should reflect on the 2 kawenata they signed for 2016 and 2017 with MANA and One Pacific. I don't think that any of those Kawenata served the Maori Party, MANA Movement or One Pacific. I don't know that having Non-Maori candidates in the Maori Party, truly served their purposes or kaupapa.

I can NOT contend that it was in the best interests of Rahui Papa and Tukuroirangi Morgan to have the Maori King's support for the Maori Party. In fact in the Maori Party's history, it is not a strong result compared to previous years (2008 and 2005).

I (like the rest of the country) was shocked when I heard that Te Ururoa Flavell lost the Waiariki seat, I had predicted that he would win. He did not.

I think even with standing in many General Seats, this did not help the overall Party vote. We see that they had THE WORST Party vote result, in the Party's history.
I HAVE to say, some of their General seat candidates were naive. Others could never get away from news stories of corruption. Some still, were said to have expressed homophobic views. None of this served the purposes of the Maori Party.

Now all of this... on top of some of the obvious... like maori voters (rightly or wrongly) continually associating the Maori Party with the National Party, or controversial legislation like Ture Whenua reforms, the lack of focus on the issues that affected the average Maori....

ALL of this contributed to the Maori Party's poorest showing EVER!!!

And so whanau, there is no way, that anyone can say with certainty that the Maori Party can have a great future.

I do not suggest that in it's current form, with the current candidates, current executive, current leadership, current policies and current marketing..... that the Maori Party can survive.

In fact, I also do not encourage the Maori Party to continue to do what it has done this year. It would be silly to do so.

This was the worst result for the Maori Party... and may I say... doing in 2017 what was called for by members in previous Elections is NOT how to win!!!!!!! Those calls were specific to those previous years. Conditions have proven different in 2017... and the Maori Party did not see this or read this properly.
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My advice to my former Party, is that the great gains of previous terms like Whanau Ora, U.N.D.R.I.P and others are won and continued. The Maori seats are also secured for survival.
The Maori Party in it's current form has served a purpose and a time passed.

It it's current form it serves NO Purpose. I don't think it should continue in it's current form.
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It is not about a 'Rejig, Reimagine, Rethink'. NO!!!! It is time to set this kaupapa of the Maori Party (2004 - 2017) to rest, to END!!!

There is no recovery from the electoral difficulties of this year. The people and members need to move on.... and rethink individually what they should do.
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To be fair, or try to seem so... all hope may no be lost... but something more than radical needs to happen.... and there is no way of knowing what that is at this point.


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Note that I caveat everything I say; I am a former member and former voter of and for the Maori Party. It may be obvious to some that I am no longer a member and am in fact a member of another Party.

SAVE PT. ENGLAND RESERVE

We only have until the 31st of January to SAVE POINT ENGLAND RESERVE

Below is a Press Statement I just sent out and an email to the community.
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PRESS STATEMENT

SAVE POINT ENGLAND RESERVE IN GLEN INNES

Community Advocates are calling for support to oppose a Housing Development at a Local Reserve in East Auckland.

A petition has been created to SAVE POINT ENGLAND RESERVE

The petition was created by Tsz Ho a local pharmacist affected by the potential development.

Ho and other Advocates worry that the development could lead to 

* POLLUTION of the Local Beach, Bush and Omaru River

* Loss of a Community and Event's space

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The reserve is home to local bush, wildlife and sea life.

The reserve also hosts important community events like Concerts, Runs and sporting Events like the Weet Bix Tryathlon.

Advocates worry that all of this will be negatively affected and that current residents may also be negatively affected

Advocates are calling on the media to alert the community and also want people to make submissions to Parliament so as to STOP THE DEVELOPMENTS AND POLLUTION.

Advocate TeRata Hikairo says 'We must have this place available for future generations and we must preserve our environment. If you want to help stop this, email me terata@hotmail.com" 

ENDS

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EMAIL:

Tena Koutou Katoa

Nga Mana Whenua Ngati Whatua ki Orakei, Local Teachers, Ruapotaka Marae, Community Advocates and Local Board Members

Please read this email and then forward this email to your networks in Glen Innes.

I am calling for community support to 

OPPOSE "REZONING AND REVELOPMENT OF THE POINT ENGLAND RESERVE".

Before Parliament RIGHT NOW, There is a Bill that would see land being rezoned for Housing Developments on the Point England Reserve.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 31st January 2017

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I am calling for this OPPOSITION BECAUSE

1. Point England is a Reserve, with local bush, the Omaru River and Sea life close by. It is a reserve and should be treated as such. There is no actual reassurances that a housing development would NOT negatively affect, even pollute the local environment and affect local bush life and sea life. We FACE LOSING AND POLUTTING OUR OMARU RIVER AND WAITEMATA HARBOUR, IF THIS DEVELOPMENT WENT AHEAD.

2. Point England Reserve is a critically important Event's space where we gather, we celebrate and we hold events. This Reserve is important to our community as are the walk ways and access ways to the reserve. These Events build a stronger sense of community. The whole space as it is currently is important to our community.

3. Our tamariki love the playground, love to run around, love this place. We must preserve the whole space for them. A Housing development may not be good for the tamariki who use this reserve. Our tamariki can learn more about their environment. A housing development would negatively affect these learning oppurtunities.

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I myself have already made a submission to Parliament 

I urge you to do the same WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL THE 31ST OF JANUARY, DO THIS QUICKLY!!!!!

Regards,

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TeRata Rangi Hikairo