Te anga whakamua

"Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear, take care of what they see, take care of what they feel. For how the children grow, so will the shape of Aotearoa" 

Na Dame Whina Cooper

Tena koutou katoa, I chose this quote from our kuia Dame Whina because it summarises the focus in my political and every day life. 

The pursuit of excellence brings human dignity

It is time to write of the things that I feel strongly about and share them with the world. It is something that I have just decided to do.

Kowhiringa Pooti 2014

In my previous post I talked about moving on to the next stage and I felt I had already done so before the elections had even finished. 

My purpose for standing as a candidate in the Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate in this election was to make a change for a better society, to care for the environment, and economic equity for Maori. The Green Party offered me the opportunity to do so and also gave me an insight into how I can be in the Greens and work effectively for Maori. I then found that the policies of the Greens align more with kaupapa Maori than I had first thought. My main focus is always for the Maori people and our whanau, hapu and iwi in the Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate. 

As a first time candidate I managed to make an impression and keep a Green presence in Ikaroa Rawhiti and I was happy to do so as a very proud Maori and as a very proud member of the Greens, hence my twiitter catch cry #greenMaorigreen. 10% Party Vote for the Greens was a good outcome.

The election gave a result that most of the people I spoke to did not want, but it is what it is and we can't change that and for me I am even more committed to continue the Greens election priorities:

• Kia ora ai te hapori - For a fairer society
• Kia ora ai te taiao - For a cleaner environment
• Kia ora ai te ohanga - For a smarter economy

There will no doubt be many armchair experts and critics that will contribute to the ongoing election debate and that will bring its own excitement however, the garden needs weeding and the bills need paying.

My whanau have been a great support and I am always grateful and I will continue this journey knowing they are there, especially my tamariki (who aren't little any more) and mokopuna. Truth is I know they are the first ones I think of and where I get that drive to do the impossible!. 

I am very thankful to all who helped me to be part of the elections especially the big Greens whanau, my friends and of course my whanau . With awesome leadership and national campaign team it was an exciting journey and I worked out my plan to increase the party vote for Green in Ikaroa Rawhiti. A special mention to the East Coast and Hawkes Bay Green Party branches and Sarah Helm and Georgina Morrison. I found some new 'bro's' in Ron Elder, Gavin McLean, Paul Bailey and Chris Perley and the support from Marama, Dora and Jack in getting to know the Green Party better and feel part of the Green kaupapa. 

Marama Davidson, Jack MacDonald and John Hart may have missed out but I hope Denise Roche can still be in there.

The other Ikaroa Rawhiti candidates were awesome and I do feel their desire to work together to get results not only for our Maori people but for all people, and I congratulate Meka Whaitiri and hopefully Marama Fox will also be in parliament. 

Finally my wrap up is the memory of my two son's no longer with us and a mihi to us all who continue our lives in this world - Pai tu pai hinga ka eke tonu ka eke tonu - Through the challenges and the successes, continue the work  #greenMaorigreen

Hui e! Taiki e!