Te Ururoa Flavell opinion: Marking an important part of our history

Commemorations of 170th anniversary of the Battle of Ruapekapeka Pa, near Kawakawa. PHOTO/FILE

As the MP for Waiariki, a co-leader of the Maori Party and a Minister, I am privileged that I have opportunities in Parliament to help shape our country.

One of these times happened last week with the announcement of a date for Raa Maumahara - a National Day of Commemoration. Iwi representatives from here and throughout Aotearoa came together and chose October 28 to commemorate the New Zealand Land Wars. The day of recognition will begin next year. I'm looking forward to the commemoration, because it will give you and I the opportunity to learn a part of our history that has been silent for too long. These battles shaped our country and our people. We lost more than 2750 lives during these wars and it's time we honour them in a similar way that we honour those who died overseas. We were pleased to be able to secure funding of $4 million, over four years, in Budget 2016, to support New Zealand Land Wars commemorations. It is great to know that this putea may be used to support education-related activities for schools, kura and communities about the land wars.

While on the topic of the land wars, I recently got to attend the 151st Battle Commemorations for Te Kupenga o Taramainuku Pa, in Te Teko.

This fantastic event was organised by Te Kupenga Heritage Committee a working group of the Te Teko Community Development Trust, a grass roots local initiative arising from the various commemorative events held to acknowledge the land wars. The catch cry for their kaupapa is ''Honour our ancestors, unite our people, teach our future generations!'' Not only is this a fitting challenge for Ngati Awa but for you and I alike.

As the Minister of Maori Development and Whanau Ora Minister, sometimes it means I spend time working outside of Waiariki helping our people across the motu. I recently went to the Chatham Islands to celebrate the provision of $2 million in housing putea to help improve housing on the Island. The funding was made possible by the tireless work of former Maori Party co-leader Dame Tariana Turia.

The island is an isolated gem in the South Pacific and, just like the rest of the country, it has housing and homelessness issues. During this visit, I also got to meet some of the locals who have been recipients of Te Puni Kokiri housing repair funding. They were able to have solar power panels installed in their homes, something these families were really thankful for.

Many on the island do not have some of the basics that you and I take for granted, such as having a fridge to keep food fresh, or even power. They rely on generators which can not be run 24 hours a day, due to the cost of fuel. It was a privilege for me to go to the island and meet these families and hear their stories and to know that the work we are doing is helping them even in a small way.

Back at home in Waiariki, the Maori Housing Network run by TPK has approved more than $5.1 million of funding for 2015/2016. This funding has gone towards housing repairs, infrastructure and Housing programmes. As of June 30, this year more than $24.4 million has been approved for projects nationwide.

The Maori Housing Network was established as a result of Budget 2015 and it builds on the energy and enthusiasm of whanau, hapu and iwi to work collectively to improve housing outcomes for themselves.

Ka nui aku mihi ki a koutou katoa.

I welcome your feedback at mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz or phone 0508 924 274.