Tame Iti to stand for Maori Party

IN THE RUNNING: Tame Iti will be running as a list candidate for the Maori Party at this year's election. PHOTO/FILE

Veteran activist Tame Iti has announced he will be standing as a list candidate for the Maori Party for this year's election.

The Ngai Tuhoe descendant, political advocate and health worker said he was standing for the party because they were focused on the issues that were important to whanau, hapu and iwi.

Mr Iti, who is also affiliated with Te Arawa, grew up in the Te Urewera area. In the late 1960s and 1970s he was involved in protests against the Vietnam War, and apartheid in South Africa, as well as many Maori protest actions. He served 30 months in prison on firearms offences following the police raids of the Taneatua and Ruatoki communities nearly seven years ago.

Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said Mr Iti brought a lot of strength to the party.

"He brings a lifetime of working in the best interest of Maori and has huge community links," Mr Flavell said.

"Maori people, like everyone else, all have colourful pasts so I think it's an advantage more than anything."

Mr Flavell said Mr Iti has been a supporter of the Maori Party from its fruition and put his name forward when the opportunity arose this election.

"I totally support Whanau Ora and I believe that Maori need an independent voice in Parliament. The Maori Party is the only independent Maori voice in Parliament," Mr Iti said.

He said he believed the Maori Party also built trust with mainstream New Zealand because of the way they conducted themselves.

"The Maori Party has got credibility. They've established themselves as an independent Maori movement that walks the talk. I also support them sitting at the decision-making table of Government, it's the only way Maori can bring about change. It's no good moaning on the outside."

He was supportive of the co-leaders Mr Flavell and Tariana Turia as well as his Tuhoe relation Rangi McLean who is standing in the Tamaki Makaurau electorate.

"I have supported the Maori Party since Tariana Turia, in an act of political heroism crossed the floor and formed the Maori Party. I support Te Ururoa and Rangi because they are both 'kanohi kitea', people who are seen in their communities."

President of the Maori Party Naida Glavish said they were thrilled to have him on board.

"Tame Iti has spent his life fighting for Maori people. He's been at the cutting edge of social and cultural change in Aotearoa," she said.