Te Ururoa Flavell: So much to be gained at get-together

Ria Hall put on some "awesome" entertainment at the Maori Business Network celebration.

Let me begin by congratulating all involved with organising the recent Takiwai Maori Business Network Matariki celebration, which was held at Mitai.

It's not often that I get to go out to events like this at home, so it was great to be able to get in among the crowd, and enjoy the night along with the many others there.

I was really impressed by the presentation given by Ian Taylor, of Animation Research, who I am fortunate to have met previously.

Beau Monga and his crew were up for it on the night.

His presentation was great and I think it reiterated the fact that we are naturally innovative people. We get ideas and make them happen. I can't help but be reminded of the people movers at Te Puia some years ago, where the wiring was replicated from an eight-strand braid that Emily Schuster and the weavers used.

From Ian's presentation to the entertainment provided by Ria Hall, who is always awesome and, of course, the winner of the X Factor, Beau Monga - he was something else. That kid has got real talent, it was refreshing and a pleasure to see him and his crew in action.

The night concluded with guests enjoying a bit of dancing to Krissie Knap who was great. Big thanks to Lara and the team at Takiwai for an awesome evening.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Tina Porou on her recent recognition, being named as a 2015 Blake Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust. This trust celebrates Kiwi leaders, and honours them for their contributions to the community, indeed to Aotearoa, in the area of environmental leadership and stewardship. In this domain, I can't think of anyone more deserving. Tina has served her people on a number of marae committees and runanga, and is always willing to give her skills and expertise to her hapu and iwi.

She has been involved in creating affordable housing for kaumatua, for taking care of assets like the Lake Taupo bed, and it's rivers, and for working to improve the health of the Waikato river. As well as this, she has been a strong advocate of Maori development and Whanau Ora. I admire her strength and tenacity as a wahine Maori who has found her place in the corporate world, and find it incredible that she has achieve these things and many more, all the while being a single mum to her girl.

E te tuahine, ka nui te mihi kia koe mo tenei whiwhinga "2015 Blake Leaders". Ka wani ke koe.

-Te Ururoa Flavell is the Maori Party co-leader and MP for Waiariki. He welcomes your feedback. Email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz or call (0508) 924 274.