It’s somewhat unsurprising the serial controversy courter David Rankin intends to contest the coming election. Standing against Hone Harawira is is comparatively unambitious given some of Mr Rankin’s previous activities. Wanting to withdraw his hapu from Treaty obligations, seeking British pensions for Maori and claiming the Treaty grounds make seeking office relatively tame.
While unlikely to make much of an impact on the election, the Hapu Party should add a bit of colour to the contest for the Te Tai Tokerau seat at least.
2 responses so far ↓
Sam Rerekura // 30 October, 2008 at 10:17 am |
Excellent idea. The Maori Party believe they speak for all indigenous people and are the sole authority of all things within the Maori domain. They are not. The Hapu Party although in an ‘infant state’ today will grow in support and strength over time as the Maori Party continue to talk about policy and do nothing tangible for the people. It will provide the much needed ‘checks and balances’ required to keep Maori Party ideas grounded. The Maori Party can be a one eyed taniwha sometimes. An alternative perspective from the indigenous community will be refreshing and will foster healthy debates on indigenous matters in the future. Good on you David Rankin. As an educated Maori man I understand your views and position. Edmund Hillary said to his son, ‘Never be afraid to stand alone’.
Rima Thomson // 18 April, 2009 at 9:18 pm |
I have to agree with Sam Rerekura though the potential to vote for the Hapu party or an alternative to the Maori party is now long gone. My experience of the Maori party is that there is an awful lot of spectacle and drama eg inappropriate accusations to the Australian government, and not alot of anything else. Hone Harawira for example, what has he achieved can any one tell me. Besides carrying on that rather awful tradition of modern Maori MPs and wearing tasteless sunglasses which hide what must obviously be shifty eyes there has been little that I can see that he has done to improve the livelihood or status of Maori in Aotearoa.