Staunch wahine stands tall for Maori mums

Marama Fox is determined to be a voice for those who have lost theirs. Photo / File

I seldom get excited by politics any more.

I put it down to the election this year, and the disgrace in some of the decisions being made before our very eyes by the current government.

Instead of getting angry, I get sad - and I'm a jovial kinda guy, so getting sad is not something I like doing all that often - so I tend to give politics the cold shoulder these days for fear of shedding a tear or two.

But I tell ya, if there was anything good about the election of September, I can probably summarise it in two words - Marama Fox.

This staunch advocate of te ao Maori is that injection of "woah" that Maori politics has been missing - a sharp, concise and intelligent wahine, who knows what to say, when to say it, and who to direct it at, with the pace, rhythm and timing of a broadcast professional; a pleasure to behold.

She depicts the "Maori mum" figure we all describe when trying to paint a picture of the scariest, most loving, toughest caring women in the world.

That'll only make sense if you have a mum that fits that description. I reckon she had a red spoon she'd carry in her purse. Kitchen utensil to some - deadly weapon to a Maori mum.

In her first fortnight in Parliament she has taken issue with the parliamentary oath, voted for fellow Wairarapa NZ First's Ron Mark over David Carter as Speaker and almost voted no confidence in the Government.

Her maiden speech will go down as one of the best.

She touched on many kaupapa that Maori generally shy from, for fear of highlighting statistics that don't bode too well.

"I stand to give voice to those who have lost their voice and the song in their hearts. I stand to find a way to heal and restore love to our homes," she says, with a tear in her eye. I tweeted Marama, and let her know that I watched her maiden speech, and it brought me to tears.

I am looking forward to seeing her make her mark in Parliament - and using this platform to ensure that by the time she runs for re-election in three years a measurable difference to te reo Maori has been made, Whanau Ora is safe and grows to reach more whanau who need the support of the many tiers that encompass this special kaupapa, and most of all I look forward to seeing her on the front bench - beside Matua Te Ururoa, standing tall for Maori mums. "... there is beauty all around, when there's love at home, there is joy in every sound, when there's love at home, peace and plenty here abide, smiling sweet on every side, time doth softly sweetly glide when there's love at home." - from Marama Fox's maiden speech.

Pat Spellman is a Maori radio personality, runs his own creative consultancy and is a former political organiser, campaign manager and candidate for Waiariki. Contact him at pat.spellman@outlook.co.nz