Anti-GM battler to lead Mana Maori

By SIMON COLLINS

Angeline Greensill, a Waikato University lecturer who led the fight against AgResearch's experiments with genetically modified cows, will lead the Mana Maori Movement into the election.

Ms Greensill, daughter of the late activist Eva Rickard, has rejected a request from Mana Motuhake leader Willie Jackson to pull out of the race for the new Maori seat of Tainui.

"We said we'd do that if you pull Mana Motuhake out of the Alliance. He wouldn't," she said.

Tuhoe activist Tame Iti, who led Mana Maori at the last election, has dropped to fourth place on the movement's list and declined to stand in the new Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) seat, preferring to concentrate on his job with Mangere-based Radio Waatea.

Wanganui activist Ken Mair is in second place, standing in Te Tai Hauauru; Gisborne researcher Glenis Philip-Barbara is third and standing in Ikaroa-Rawhiti.

The group's general secretary, Jacqui Amohanga, is contesting Te Tai Tonga; and Rihi Vercoe of Kawerau will contest Waiariki.

The movement will not stand in the northern seat, Te Tai Tokerau, leaving the field clear for an Independent, Mere Mangu.

Ms Greensill said the movement stood for honouring the spirit of partnership that the Maori people expected when they signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

"We didn't envisage that we would be a minority in decision-making in this land.

"We, at a minimum, should have a 50/50 say. That does not occur. We don't even have a separate Maori voice in the House."

The movement also stands for kotahitanga, or unity.

MANA MAORI MOVEMENT LIST

1. Angeline Greensill

2. Ken Mair

3. Glenis Philip-Barbara

4. Tame Iti

5. Jacqui Amohanga

6. Rihi Vercoe

7. Mere Takoko

8. Tanima Bernard

9. Colleen Skerret-White

10. Piripi Haami

11. Ngahape Lomax

12. Sharon Pehi Barlow

Full news coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/election

Election links:
The parties, policies, voting information, and more

Ask a politician:
Send us a question, on any topic, addressed to any party leader. We'll choose the best questions to put to the leaders, and publish the answers in our election coverage.