Te Ururoa Flavell: Time to encourage our youth

Recently we have been struck by a number of bereavements. A fortnight ago we lost Maureen Waaka, the district councillor and passionate community advocate. Then there has been Mitai Rolleston, the avid follower of Waikite, the hard worker of Ngati Whakaue, the person seen on all of our marae and key instigator of a number of projects for the people.

They were both the same. Both died suddenly, they left a number of projects to complete, and education was at the forefront of their thinking. I stated at Mitai's funeral that I was really concerned about the number of elders who were leaving us prematurely and we of Te Arawa are not preparing effective succession pathways. When we lose our elders, we suffer the loss of so much knowledge - we of Te Arawa must be vigilant.

As it happens, I attended a wananga for a number of our youth of Te Arawa at Horohoro. Local research found that, according to our youth, they were nervous about going to the marae in fear that they may well be told off. Finding ways to encourage our youth must be a priority, like it is for we of the Maori Party.

We also recently had our National AGM for the Maori Party in Whakatane. It was a great hui, where spirits were lifted. I was very honoured and happy to have succeeded to the co-leadership positions of the Maori Party, to stand beside Tariana Turia and follow in the footsteps of Pita Sharples. There is indeed a lot of work ahead to ensure the Maori Party continues to be ingrained in the hearts of the nation.

It will be achieved with hard work, good planning, a clear strategy and we will once again be where we want to be.

I want to acknowledge Kura Waller. She was chosen to represent me in the Youth Parliament this week. She had no trouble at all to speak and present a view in front of the 120 Youth MPs. Youth Parliament is always a great opportunity for our rangatahi I welcome your feedback. email: mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz Phone: (07) 3503261 0508 924 274.

Te Ururoa Flavell is the MP of Waiariki and the co-leader of the Maori Party.

Tena ano tatou

Nonatatanei, kua eke mai te parekura o mate ki runga i a tatou o Te Arawa. Ka tahi, ko Maureen Waaka tera, te kaikawe o nga take nei o te hapori o Rotorua. Ka rua, ko Mitai Rolleston tera, te kaingakaunui o Waikite, te ringa raupa o Ngati Whakaue, te kanohi kitea o nga marae o te kainga, te kaipupuri o te mauri o nga kaupapa e hia ke nei o te iwi. Ko raua raua. He mate ohorere, ara ano nga mahi e noho tarewa ana. Ko te matauranga te kaupapa nui ki a raua. I puta i a au i te tangihanga mo Mitai, kei te awangawanga au i te mea, kei te matemate haere nga kaihautu o nga marae a, kaore tatou o Te Arawa i te whakawatea mai i nga huarahi ki te whakatupuranga hou, hei whakakiikii i nga wharua. Ka mate ana nga kuia, nga koroua, ka ngaro nga puna o te matauranga, Te Arawa kia mataara.

I tae atu au ki tetahi hui i Horohoro mo etahi rangatahi o Te Arawa. I puta te korero i roto i nga rangahau, e ai ki ta nga taioha o te kainga, kaore he tino take o te haere ki o tatou marae, i te mea ko kohetehete raua ko kohumuhumu nga mea e rangona ana. Penei i a matou o te Paati Maori, me whai wahi ratou katoa runga i o tatou marae.

I nga ra tata nei, i tu te Hui-a-tau o te Paati Maori i Whakatane. He rawe te hui nei hei whakahiko i te ngakau.

Noku te whiwhi, noku te harikoa, i te mea i tohungia kia riro i a au ko te turu kaiarahi tana o te Paati Maori, kia noho hei hoa haere ma Tariana Turia kia whai haere au i nga tapuwae o Pita Sharples.

Ae, he nui nga mahi kei mua i te aroaro, kia noho toka te Paati Maori ki roto i te ngakau o te motu, engari ma pukumahi, ma te tika o te whakatikatika, me te rautaki marama nei, ka taea te eke ki te taumata e tika ana.

Hei whakakopani i tenei korero, me tuku mihi au ki a Kura Waller. Ko ia te mea i eke atu ki te Whare Paremata i te wiki kua hipa, hei kanohi maku, i te Paremata Taiohi. Kaore he raru ki a ia ki te tu ki te korero, ki te whakatakoto whakaaro ki mua i te kotahi rau rua tekau ma tahi mema. He mea angitu tenei ahuatanga mo a tatou rangatahi, no reira noku te whiwhi ki te tu hei kaitautoko i a ratou i te wa i Poneke.