Locals Prepare To Welcome Bike-Riding Teen For Māori Wards
The Whakatāne High School student walked almost 80 kilometres from Whakatāne to Mauao (Mt Maunganui) earlier in the year, and has now taken on the next challenge. Friendly locals have been 'host families' as he makes his way down the country in wintery conditions.
Jack has been passionate about Māori wards for a number of years, after he attended the petition delivery as a child, calling on the government to treat Māori wards like every other ward, and remove the requirement for a referendum. This petition resulted in the then-government changing the legislation, which sparked immense support for Māori wards. New ward seats went from three across the country, to forty-nine - a 1500% increase showing that councils and communities were ready to embrace Māori representation.
In 2024, the Coalition Government reversed this legislation which brought back referendums in retrospect, or requiring councils to scrap the seats themselves.
ActionStation Director, Kassie Hartendorp says that it's heartening to see a young person use his skills, talents and bravery to turn a divisive issue into a positive event.
'It's promising to see that the younger generation have clarity on political issues of the day and are willing to forge a different path that brings us all together. Which is exactly what Māori wards can do for communities too.'
She says that communities in 42 different council areas will be asked whether to keep their local Māori wards during local body elections this September and October.
'Māori wards have made a difference for entire communities - let's keep a good thing going, and make sure they continue into the future.'
ActionStation is co-organising a welcome event for Jack as he arrives at Parliament to deliver his letter on Wednesday 9 July. PM Christopher Luxon has declined to receive Jack's letter or meet with him, however, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has offered to receive it instead.
All supporters are welcome to welcome Jack as he arrives at Parliament after his massive bike ride.
Notes:
For more information on the event details, please contact rangimarie@actionstation.org.nz.
The Protect Māori wards report by ActionStation can be found here: https://maoriwards.nz/ProtectMaoriWardsReport_web.pdf
More info can be found on Māori wards here [https://www.votelocal.co.nz/maori-wards-and-constituencies/ ] at the VoteLocal website, which includes the 42 regions holding a referendum.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Former Broadcaster Oriini Kaipara Puts Name Forward For Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau Candidate
Former broadcaster and journalist Oriini Kaipara is putting her name forward to be Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate. It comes after Takutai Tarsh Kemp died, triggering a by-election in the Tāmaki Makaurau Māori electorate. The former Te Karere, Māori Television and Newshub presenter posted a "special announcement" on social media, calling for people to vote for her. It outlined the process to register as a member for the Māori Party and attend a hui at Hoani Waititi Marae this Thursday to vote in the candidate selection. Kaipara, of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Rangitihi descent, said "Tāmaki Makaurau is more than a city. It's a heartbeat." "A place where mana whenua and urban Māori rise together. Where our struggles are real - but so is our strength. "Tō reo. Tō tāua anamata. Kia matike tahi tātou. "I see you. I hear you. I am you. We are the movement." Kaipara, currently working as NZ Olympic's Pouwhiringa Māori culture lead, told RNZ she'd long watched parliamentary politics play out, but putting herself forward for selection was the first time she was getting involved. She said she was responding to the call from her community, including that of Hoani Waititi Marae based in west Auckland where she was a former student, and standing alongside the current Te Pāti Māori MPs. Kaipara grew up in West Auckland, but the Bay of Plenty is home, with her father from Te Teko and her mother from Kawerau. She is a mother and a grandmother. She's remained connected to Hoani Waititi particularly through performing with Ngā Tumanako at Te Matatini. She left Newshub at the beginning of last year to take up the role at NZ Olympics, where she helped launch the first Olympic glossary featuring Māori words to encourage te reo use during the 2024 games. Kaipara was believed to be the first to present a mainstream news bulletin with a moko kauae, when she did so for 1News' Midday bulletin] in 2019, before later reading for the 6 o'clock news on Newshub. She was applauded but also spoke out about the backlash she received. Kaipara also spoke out against the use of her image without her knowledge or consent that was being sold online. Kaipara acknowledged the passing of Kemp, and her contribution as the Tāmaki Makaurau MP, indicating she didn't want to say more until the vote had taken place and she'd confirmed the mandate. No other candidates had put their names forward publicly at this stage to be selected for Te Pāti Māori, but had until Wednesday to submit an expression of interest. RNZ understands other candidates are also seeking selection. The vote will take place on Thursday, and the Te Pāti Māori candidate will be announced Friday. The Prime Minister is yet to announce the date for a by-election to fill the seat. Labour's Peeni Henare, who lost the seat by a slim margin in 2023, has yet to confirm whether he will stand or not.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Teen cycling North Island to deliver letter supporting Māori wards to parliament
A 15 year old school boy is cycling his way down the North Island this school holidays to deliver a letter in support of keeping Māori wards to parliament. The Whakatane High School student is due to hit the capital on Wednesday but the PM has declined to meet him when he arrives. He has been on the road with his letter for eleven days now, but it is not his first time - delivering a petition in support of Māori wards to the steps parliament when he was 10. Jack Karetai Barret spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Regulatory Standards Bill: Opponents lash David Seymour's legislation at select committee
David Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill has been called the 'strangest piece of New Zealand legislation I have ever seen' by a former Prime Minister, while a well-known Māori leader believes it's a 'power grab' to support 'the old boys' network'. The Regulations Minister hadn't watched all of the submissions,
