Te Ururoa Flavell: Te Arawa not just an interest group

There is nothing wrong with Maori at the table. Photo / File

Greetings to you all.

I have become less tolerant of the recent claims and accusations made in the media about the Rotorua District Council, and indeed the Mayor, regarding Maori representation on the council. Let me say this - now is when we see the good and ugly side of people.

Te Arawa is not just an interest group in this debate; in fact our footprint is all over Rotorua. Whether that be through the Fenton's Agreement, or the names of the streets or the meeting houses throughout the region, all of this comes from a Te Arawa history and it is that generosity of spirit that allowed others to have a place here.

Some would argue that the avenue being followed by the council is not democratic. Having said that, democracy has never served the minorities well at all and that's the issue. The bigger thing that really churns my heart is that there are those who simply do not want Maori at the decision making table, despite the kindness of spirit of Te Arawa. What will the end result be? Division, derision, jealousy. That is not the pathway I want. So what is wrong with Maori at the table? Nothing!

At this time, our people are probably arriving in Christchurch, for Te Matatini. When I see our own from home I get goose bumps, my heart beat rises and I feel so proud. So to all of our people heading to Te Matatini, I wish you all well.

To close, let me pay tribute to those involved in Lakeside that made it happen. I thought the concert was awesome despite the rain. The songs, the dances were absolutely fantastic and Te Arawa is extremely lucky to have benefited from your activities. Congratulations.

I welcome your feedback. Email: mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz Phone 0508 924 274-Te Ururoa Flavell is the Waiariki MP and co-leader of the Maori Party.

Maori translation

Tena tatou katoa.

Ko au nei kua taki hoha ki nga whakawhiu ki nga kupu hahani kua puta i te nupepa i nga marama kua taha ake nei ki te Kaunihera me te Koromatua o Rotorua mo te take o tetahi turu Maori i te Kaunihera tonu.

Me ki penei au, kei te kite atu tatou i te tau pai o te tangata, me te tau kino. Ehara a Te Arawa (nga iwi o te waka nei) i te tangata noa, kua whai panga matou ki Rotorua nei, ara ano te Fentons Agreement, ko nga ingoa tiriti no Te Arawa, ko nga tupuna whare no roto i te ao o Te Arawa. Ka mutu no te whakaaro nui o Te Arawa kua whai wahi etahi atu ki konei.

Ko tera tera.

Ko etahi kei te ki, ko te huarahi e whai haeretia ana e te Kaunihera, ehara i te kawanatanga a-iwi (democracy). Haunga tera korero, e kore e taea e tera huarahi te whakatinana nga hiahia o te tokoiti - koia na te raru nei.

Ko te mea titi i toku ngakau ko te whakahe a etahi i te noho a te Maori i te tepu o te Kaunihera ahakoa te whakaaro nui, te ngakau nui a Te Arawa ki tenei taone. He aha tona mutunga? He whakawehewehe, he whakaiti, he puhaehae. Ehara tera i te huarahi e pirangitia e au.

He aha te he o te noho o te Maori ki te tepu? Karekau. Te Arawa kia mataara.
Hei tenei wa, kua u te waka o Te Arawa ki Otautahi. Ko te Kapa Haka te take. Ko Te Matatini.

I a au e matakitaki ana i o tatou ake, kua tu nga pihi kua hihiko te ngakau, kua whakahihi.
No reira, ki nga hunga kapa haka o te kainga kia kaha.

Hei kupu whakamutunga, me mihi ra au ki te hunga na ratou te 'Lakeside' i whakatinana. E hoa ma, ka rawe ke taua ngahau ahakoa te heke o te ua. Ko nga waiata, ko nga kanikani, he rawe, a, he tino waimarie a Te Arawa i a ratou katoa. Ka nui te mihi.