"Te Waru o Noema" A Catholic's Reflection

First off... Yes.

You read correctly.

I am no longer any other religion. I claim Jesus Christ as my Saviour and I follow my Saviour's direction in St. Matthew 16: 17 - 19.... I am seeking to be Catholic, which simply means I am seeking to follow Ephesians 4: 5. But more on that possibly for another blog entry.
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I want to first of all praise people in my Manurewa community. People who I can truly call Enlightened.
They are Apotoro Simon Pikimaui, Apotoro Kereama Pene, Joyal Pene and Raniera Pene. They've all worked tirelessly for many months, with 1 mission.... to unite people under the 1 God. They truly seek to fulfill the call of Ephesians 4:13 in order to achieve what is hoped for in Ephesians 4:15.

I salute them.

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You may know, that on their invitation, earlier this year, I attended Morehu Day. And it was at this day that I publicly declared, faith in Jesus and my return to Christianity.

To them I am grateful for such an incredible and unforgettable opportunity.
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Now to the subject I am discussing.

'Te Waru O Noema' the 8th of November, is a day for members of the Ratana Church to remember, in their accounts, of the reported visitation of Te Kawau-born farmer, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana,  by the Holy Spirit in 1918.... just days before the end of the Great War.

Yes members of the Ratana Church believe that Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana was visited by the Holy Spirit on the 8th of November 1918.

Those Ratana Members, credit this day with the arrival of the Holy Spirit to Maori.
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Of course, this is actually just part of a long line of events stretching back as 1814 when Anglican Reverend Samuel Marsden preached a Christian Sermon on Christmas Day at Oihi... or even as some report back in 1769, when in Taipa-Mangonui (Doubtless Bay) it is said that the first Catholic Mass was celebrated by Fr. Paul-Antoine de Villefeix on board the ship, Saint Jean Baptiste (St. John the Baptist). As a side note Jean-Baptiste, is the first name of the First Catholic Bishop of New Zealand, who is otherwise known as Bishop Pompallier. 
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It almost goes without saying that there were indeed other significant Maori Spiritual leaders like, Tawhiao, Te Ua Haumene, Te Kooti and many many others. 
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Thus, I say as a Catholic, that T. W. Ratana was one of many christians both Maori and Non-Maori to preach about the saving power of Jesus.

I want to add, that his mission to carry the Bible and Tiriti... is actually a mission began since the origins of Christianity in this land, Aotearoa New Zealand.

He simply affirmed the centrality of The Holy Bible and Te Tiriti for Maori People.

We can not forget that Te Tiriti was written, translated and distributed by Anglicans.

Further, the Bible is a gift to all the world, including Maori from the Catholic Church.

Thus, any who acknowledge these 2 important writings, should also acknowledge the ones who gave them to us, namely the Anglican and Catholic Churches respectively.
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I therefore use a day like today to acknowledge the integral part that Jesus Christ and his Church have played in the history of this Nation.

I ask all Christians in Aotearoa to remember Jesus today, on the 8th of November... because everything that today represents, whether you are Ratana, Catholic, Anglican OR Any Denomination or Church... all things originate in Christ as we are so reminded in Collosians 1: 15 - 17.

My own Political Risks.. and how they may finally be paying off

Tena Koutou

It know it has been a wee while since my last blog post. Alot has been happening in my life.

But I thought I'd share this.
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Anyone that Googles my name... will find one of THE MOST Embarrassing videos of my Political Career. It is in hindsight one of the GREATEST Political risks I have EVER Taken.

I have spoken at length about all of that in the past.

A new angle though... that is my first greatest political risk I ever took and that it took place in 2014.
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It generated a raft of news for 1 day at least... but for me personally I feel.. has left an indeliable negative mark on my career and maybe even to some extent the image, people have of me in public life.
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Next though, among the 2 GREATEST Political Risks I have EVER Taken, was a video filmed on the 5th of November 2017, known as 'the Marae video'.

MASSIVE MASSIVE Contrasts in the 2... but both equally risky. That is undeniable.

People are political and hold political opinions, so viewed either isolated from each other OR in conjunction... they present again... a particular image.
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Now if you DO view them together... my personal hope is that YOU see .. primarily my transition away from the Maori Party.
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Whats LESS Obvious is the undertones of both videos... and how interestingly enough they actually relate to a whole OTHER Party... That is... the New Zealand Labour Party (Te Roopu Reipa)

See, the 2014 video is me asking (however loudly) for the Labour Leader to be inclusive and think more broadly about Maori representation... something I still believe in today.
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The 2017 video presents (for Politicos) a huge contrast to the #HoakeTatou Labour Maori Campaign, and if you haven't worked it out speaks to it's huge power and the way it did in fact connect. If you don't get that from watching the first time... watch again and see Now.
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It needs to be said though.... BOTH Videos serve as huge risks at the time they were created.

It bears mentioning.. that the 2014 video ACTUALLY got me in trouble with the Maori Party all those years ago.... and the risk ultimately came to a head when in 2015 I was forced to resign from the Maori Party.
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The 2017 video was an attempt at trying to right the wrong of the 2014 video.. but also an attempt at putting across a more mature political view.... BUT Again.. you won't be suprised to know that the Maori Party didn't like the 2017 Marae video at all..
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Let me now tell you how this all holds relevance in November 2018...

WELL.. The 2017 Video was a way of... telling LABOUR That I am well and truly DONE with the Maori Party and that I am very very firmly in the Labour Camp... I support Labour.
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In the last 12 months since that 2017 Marae video.... the Tamaki Makaurau Labour Party has heartily embraced me, as has the Maori part (Te Kaunihera Maori) of the Labour Party.
I've cheered on my MP Peeni in his achievements and I've supported 2 Labour Candidates of Maori descent (Brooke Loader and Shanan Halbert)

You'll remember these beautiful photos of me as personal translator for former Labour Leader Hon. Andrew Little at a local Event.

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Most rewarding of all... while I can't release the exact details.... I can inform all that thus far one of the greatest payoffs of the political risk taken exactly a year ago on the 5th of November...

Was met today... in that I was privileged to push a new policy for New Zealand Labour (nothing major, but it is based on fairness and democracy). The Party today accepted my policy which I hope will be released in due course.
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As I write I am overwhelmed with satisfaction and forgivably very proud of myself but most of all as I write this... I am proud to be

My tweet about Bishop Brian Tamaki.

I want to write briefly in relation to this tweet

https://twitter.com/terata6/status/988219502256013312

The tweet was prompted by these stories;

One from Stuff:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103311135/destiny-churchs-bishop-brian-tamaki-severely-burnt-in-rubbish-fire

Another from Newshub
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/04/destiny-church-s-brian-tamaki-hospitalised-after-rubbish-fire.html
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I affirm the rights of all New Zealanders to believe what they wish.
This Human Right, is enshrined in our Bill of Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in Article 4 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

I uphold and will always defend the right of anyone in New Zealand, to believe what they wish.

Recently in Easter Weekend, during the Easter Production

https://www.facebook.com/events/1759822617417623/ 

Destiny Church made some alarming claims.

A Scene in that play, plays a montage of Maori Prophets like Ratana, Rua Kenana and Tawhiao.

The Play, portrays a following Scene where a young Brian Tamaki says 'They are dead and I am here now'(paraphrased).

In the context and timing of the Production I mention above, and the claim made therein, I further wish to assert that, such a claim by itself is offensive to the pononga (followers) of those Rangatira, who are considered Prophets.

They are Maori Prophets.
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It is detestable to claim oneself as a sole Prophetic authority for all Maori people.

It is my belief that Brian Tamaki's burn injuries are divine retribution.

END

Further comments:

I uphold the rights of Brian Tamaki and his followers to believe as they wish. Their religious freedom is as dear to me, as are my own rights and the rights of all other New Zealanders.

The offering of my opinion, is just that, the offering of an opinion. This opinion offered is in relation to this story.

I do not hold that, Destiny and it's subsidiary organisations like it's School, ECE, Gym, Social services etc are bad. These organisations and programs are incredible and make very positive contributions to our community and our wider society.

It is my assertion that a twisted ideology has bought dire, near fatal consequences for the one who espoused it.

Thank you.

A poem for an Angel

The text of a poem dedicated to my nephew Harlem whose unveiling, we commemorated this weekend;

Angel above:

I know it’s hard,
I know it’s sad,
Most days…
We want to cry.

We miss you now,
We missed you then,
May we never have such pain
Again…
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But babe, our sweets
Our honey boy…
Allow me this once
to speak of joy…
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See the day
You rose,
And flew like a dove
Was the day we gained an angel ABOVE
_
So much has happened in these 10 years
Glory to Jah
We know you were there.
You guided,
You lifted,
You showed the way

But even through tears, I gotta say
That knowing you upon us shone
Made each new day
A brighter one..

You helped brother
With his gifts to share
Now no one denies his dancing flair

You helped Aunty Bunty bring us together
Kai iwi lakes, Ahikiwi Forever!!!

You got all the cuzzies,
The nieces, the Aunties,
The kuias.. the whanau
All as one…

BOTH for a 70th to remember
And a Christmas in the Omapere Sun

You did it.. you helped us,
Way pointed
And then….
Sweet cheeks…
you helped
Nana Joey smile again.

You reminded Papa Shane
of his need to be home
Hokianga called him
He’s in the zone

All these years you’ve kept
Nan Suzuki safe in OZ,
No, not the bird…
Actually Oz

Nanny Tan
Aunty Aka
You gave them the skills
So they could help people
Not just pay bills

But baby,
But sweets
Although it’s been rough
There’s something for
which Mum can’t thank you enough

See the
Glimmer of hope..
With an Angel above
Is that you helped Mum
To again find Love

So with you right there,
Our babe we reminisce

Hasn’t all been hard yards..
Some days.. you made it bliss

We love you
We miss you
Watch us, like a dove

Harlem Sailor Cash
Our Angel above

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.

Predicting Maori Seats in 2017

Predicting Maori Seats in 2017

My personal, informed opinion on how the Maori seats might go in 2017.
In some cases, there is a clear idea whereas with others it is anyone's guess.

Te Tai Tokerau
In my view, Kelvin voters will vote for Kelvin because they are pleased with his work and don't want Hone. Hone voters will vote for Hone because they are pleased with his previous record of service and believe he may be that 'effective independent voice'.
I have no clear prediction for Te Tai Tokerau and it could honestly go either way.

Tamaki Makaurau
Again, I honestly feel it may go either way, Peeni has a great record of service over the last 3 years and is respected throughout the rohe. But The Maori Party also have a great history in this seat and their candidate has a  high profile. The Maori Party's Shane Taurima has as good a chance as incumbent Peeni Henare to win.

Hauraki-Waikato
It's a no brainer, in all the history of the seat, Labour's Nanaia Mahuta has always won. I predict she will win again.

Waiariki
A consistent and strong showing for Incumbent Te Ururoa Flavell for over 10 years. I predict him winning again.

Te Tai Hauauru
Like 2 other seats, it is anyone's guess. Incumbent Adrian Rurawhe had a good majority last Election. Maori Party candidate is popular in parts of the Electorate. Not sure if it is a level playing field. Polls show support for the Maori Party's Howie Tamati, but Adrian's connection to key parts of the Electorate make him have a strong chance. I won't call this one here. Both Howie and Adrian have a good chance.

Ikaroa-Rawhiti
Labour's Meka Whaitiri won the by-election that got her in to Parliament and the General Election Result last time. I predict her winning comfortably again.

Te Tai Tonga
 Labour's Rino Tirikatene has held the seat since 2011 and has not been unseated. He does have a  challenge in Green's Metiria Turei. But I do not think that Rino will lose.

Important Note:
* I obviously believe in the Maori seats but don't talk about that here. See my thoughts on this youtube video
* I have blogged on Political Issues for 4 years
* I have campaigned for several parties, including Maori Party, Greens and Labour
* I have already voted and so hope things go a particular way, but try not to bias my writing here.
* I believe it is clear that Labour will win Party vote, so won't comment on that here, that's not bias, that's going on previous results.
* I won't comment on the Greens, alot insomusch, they have consistent voters in the Maori seats, but have not yet won candidacy which is the focus of this blog.
* The 2 biggest upsets which affected the seats from then onwards, will be mentioned here rather than throughout the blog.
 1. was the 2004 Seabed and Foreshore debacle 
2.  2010 split of the MANA Movement from the Maori Party.

Core Numbers for National and Labour

Core Numbers for National and Labour going back to 1996 (MMP Elections, the last 7 Elections)

Data from www.electionresults.govt.nz 

You decide what it means:

Labour:

2014 Result: 604,535

2014 Percentage: 25.13%

2011 Result: 614,937

2011 Percentage: 27.48%

2008 Result: 796,880

2008 Percentage: 33.99%

2005 Result: 935,319

2005 Percentage: 41.10%

2002 Result: 838,219

2002 Percentage: 41.26%

1999 Result: 800,199

1999 Percentage: 38.74%

1996 Result: 584,159

1996 Percentage: 28.19%

National:

2014 Result 1,131,501

2014 Percentage 47.04%

2011 Result 1,058,636

2011 Percentage 47.31%

2008 Result 1,053,398

2008 Percentage 44.93%

2005 Result 889,813

2005 Percentage 39.10%

2002 Result 425.310

2002 Percentage 20.93%

1999 Result 629,932

1999 Percentage 30.50%

1996 Result 701,315

1996 Percentage 33.84%

All this tells us that there are about 2 - 4 hundred thousand swing voters.

Or in other words, we can see from the Change Elections (1999 and 2008), the difference is about 8 - 10%

I mean these results tell us that it is really up to the swing voters. I've only looked at numbers here and only for the 2 major Partys. Also it is clear that every single one of these Elections had their own unique circumstances and situations that influenced the results.

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One thing is clear.... that the only truly trustworthy poll is on Election Night AND

That it is important to vote.

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For the 2017, I do not doubt that it may well be quite close... National voters will turn out and so will Labour.

We just want to see who gets more???