Mana | Movement of the People

Ae Marika! 29 July 2014

It wasn’t till I read John Armstrong’s column in the NZ Herald last week that I realised what a huge impact the Internet MANA tour has had, but the reality is that we achieved what no other political party has achieved in community meetings across the north in decades – packed houses. And not just in Kaitaia either, but also in community halls in Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Whangarei and Kelston. We also spoke at marae in Te Kao, Kohewhata in Kaikohe, Waitangi and at Te Renga Paraoa in Whangarei and were warmly received there as well.

John Armstrong is the NZ Herald’s senior political commentator, and not one given to gushing about the activities of those on the left of the political spectrum, so his column last week about our public meeting in West Auckland was noteworthy – “The main hall of the Kelston Community Centre was packed to the gunnels. There was not so much a buzz of excitement as a raging ferment of noise …”

That doesn’t necessarily translate into votes at the polls and we’re not taking anything for granted, but Armstrong also made another very telling comment which fits with what we’re hearing around the country “With Labour’s woes intensifying and their support bleeding away, there is a good chance that Internet Mana could be hovering around the 5 per cent level by the time the official campaign gets under way.”

And while I’m talking about it, I have to say that it’s a real honour to welcome Georgina Beyer as MANA’s candidate for Te Tai Tonga. She was not only the world’s first openly transsexual mayor and MP (for Labour) she is also a respected household name in politics and a noted campaigner for human rights. Georgina has whakapapa links to Te Tai Tonga through Te Ati Awa and Ngati Mutunga. She’s keen and looking forward to the challenge, in part because she wants to make amends to Maori for being made to vote for the foreshore and seabed bill by the Labour hierarchy, a point which still rankles with her today

Last week Maori Party leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia also gave their final speeches in the house, and although we’ve had our differences over the years it was still a nostalgic moment. They led the Maori Party through some exhilarating and challenging times and although the party’s spark has clearly dimmed of late, their leadership has been consistently strong throughout.

Given that the campaign proper doesn’t get started for another couple of weeks, we certainly seem to be heading in the right direction.

I missed Tari and Pete’s valedictory because I went to the funeral service for Sol Te Whata of the 28^th Maori Battalion’s ‘A’ Company, which was held at Mataitaua marae in Utakura. An old soldier sadly missed. A special mention to the Leadership Academy ‘A’ Company based in Whangarei for their attendance, their participation and their demeanour. Sol was a patron of the Academy and he would have been proud of the boys.

Special mention also to Whare Meihana who was laid to rest in Te Hapua yesterday; Whare was an Apotoro in the Ratana church, one of the leading speakers for both Ngati Kuri and Ngaitakoto, and (just like Sol) a staunch MANA man.

I can just see them both sharing a laugh, at my expense, on their way home to Hawaiki.

AE MARIKA is an article written every week by Hone Harawira, leader of the MANA Movement and Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau. You are welcome to use any of the comments and to ascribe them to Mr Harawira. The full range of Hone’s articles can be found on the MANA website at www.mana.net.nz.