There’s a worthwhile profile of Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia in the Dominion Post today. Ms Turia announced her intention to retire before the 2014 election recently. I’ve always respected this thoughtful, courageous woman … who is much more than a politician.
I remember interviewing her during last year’s general election when her former colleague, off-shoot Mana Party leader Hone Harawira called on the Maori Party to “come clean” and declare their intention to coalesce with National after the election.
“First of all, we’re not dirty,” Mrs Turia said, deftly refusing to buy Mr Harawira’s spin, nor to let him define the bounds of the debate. The Maori Party would, she said, as before, wait for the election result and consult their support base about the path forward.
Mrs Turia has framed her own support for anti-tobacco legislation in terms of saving her people’s lives. And good on her. Maori are so over-represented in smoking statistics, death from tobacco statistics, something HAS to be done — despite the aggressive, squealing threats of the Big Tobacco death merchants and their gums for hire determined to spin their amoral “but-it’s-a-legal-product” line until their (and their customers’) last gasp.
I wish her well.
– P
Mrs Turia (and Dr Sharples, for that matter) have been extremely impressive and excellent members of parliament, for both their Maori constituents and the general population of NZ, in my view.
Perhaps the Greens could learn something about reasonableness, moderation and effectiveness from the Maori Party?
It is probably too much to ask for…
Rgds,
*p*
Agreed. They both strike me as top quality people.
The Maori Party has paid and continues to pay a price, in terms of popular support/membership, for the coalition arrangements with National.
Operating from inside the tent (in LBJ’s terms) has come at a cost, but I have no doubt most of that was foreseen by the Party. No free lunch.
– P
Questions …
Why are they excellent and impressive (because they suck on Nationals hind tit? as a conversation starter…)
What have they done for their maori constituents
What have they done for the rest of NZ
Define how they have been moderate, reasonable and effective
I’d be interested in the answers …
Ivan has hit it on the head.
Peter and PM are delusional. Like Labour they don’t achieve anything.
This is their team so they are defending them with no real facts just ‘they seem like good people’
Im not certain that either Peter or the other commenter are delusional … neither have i ever percieved them as pro-labour. Peter is by his own admission, an ardent capitalist in the mould of Bob Jones on Mogadon … the other commenter seems like (seems) as though they are to the right of Genghis Khan … and possibly see the common man as so many scurrying insects flailing about uselessly in futile attempts to emulate or get to the same level as the few “haves” in society. But i may be wrong.
However – Craig you are right … i take issue with sweeping statements from two people who pride themselves on being fact-based. In the case of Peter – he is a good chap who likes to see all sides of a story … in the case of the other commenter … using soaring words and sentence structures to demonstrate a certain level of intellect and insight.
In this case – both may have failed dismally. It smacks of going to the night trots and betting on a horse “cos it looks pretty under the lights…”
Personally i wonder how many elections have been won by voters adopting the racehorse-betting-for-the-inexperienced mentality.
I know what i think of the Maori Party …
Sadly, I can’t find an online version of the Anthony Hubbard profile of Mrs Turia I recommended in my post — it’s worth a read, as I suggested, and speaks to some of the issues you raise.
Thanks, but I’m not of a mind to accept an invitation to partake in a conversation of the inquisition sort — suffice to say I regard Mrs Turia and Dr Sharples as sincere community-minded people of principle.
Keeping your head when all around you are losing theirs is a good sign in my book … whatever one’s political persuasion. As I’m not a member of any political party, nor do I perceive myself as a tribalist — no pun intended — I feel I have freedom to express respect and disrespect across the spectrum.
(Of course, self-deceit is rife in this fraught area.)
– P
Asking for an expression of detail – is not an inquisition. You are wriggling out of the quite sincerely posed series of questions.
Keeping your head when all etc etc … i wouldnt mind finding a historical context from you for that statement. Hitler kept his head and rampaged across Europe … is that a good sign. Is being deceptive, obtuse or just plain “no comment” a good sign?
Coolness, calmness and keeping ones head can be the signature signs of sociopaths and psycopaths … as much as for any other personality type. Bureacrats for instance …. have a time honoured tradition of enduring scrutiny, by ignoring and simply never responding to the requests for information … or indeed the scrutiny in whatever form it manifests itself. It doesnt mean that behaviour is noble. it can sometimes mean they are either wrong … or they dont want to be caught out.
Personally – Turia and Sharples are sincere … but that doesnt address the claims you have made on their behalves … or by association and actual mention … the party they represent and personify.
Fair points, especially re bureaucratic behaviour, one of my interests.
Truly, Ivan, I merely wanted to suggest/recommend readers locate the Hubbard article on Mrs Turia … and add my own brief comment in support of the premise that she’s made a positive contribution, been an influence — not write one myself.
– P
Personally i like the woman … i like Pita Sharples … i just see them as pawns in the hands of the neo liberal scumbuckets. They are dignified old school maori individuals … role models to the rangitahi hopefully.
Plus whenever the other commenter slavers and dribbles – you appear to lick his boots and pant furiously like a doting puppy. However i might be imagining that. Christmas hallucinations and all that shit. It annoys the bejeezus out of me.
If you must know – i am an avid watcher and admirer of, Maori TV … I am fascinated by the culture.
But have they (Turia and Sharples) achieved much for their people … as individuals undoubtedly … but in coalition with the folk they share a government with … no. In my view.
That’s pretty insulting about the panting and boot licking. Boo!