Tariana Turia: Great leadership weaves us together

 At the memorial service last Friday for Hon Dr Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, the eulogies referred to two categories of leadership. There are those who seek to lead people by standing out front and directing the troops; and there are others who stand in the midst of the people, responding to the call of the collective as their primary motivation.

Whetu was very much in the second category - her last issue was worrying about the price of milk.

I am always interested in those who seek to interpret rangatiratanga as an individual concern. The way I was brought up, a rangatira is a person able to weave a group of people together in the pursuit of collective aspirations. [Ranga coming from 'raranga' - to weave; tira - a group of people]. The pursuit of rangatiratanga is driven by the best interests of the people; listening

to their concerns; being prepared to act and speak up on their behalf.

My professional career - and more importantly our whanau commitment - has been modelled on the belief that leadership resides within the people. It has been my lifelong passion to do what I can to ensure that leadership thrives; to remove barriers which stop us from being the best that we can be.

This is what motivated me to develop, so many years ago now, He Korowai Oranga - to support whanau to achieve their maximum health and wellbeing. It is what drove me to cross the floor in rejection of the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act - and to fight to restore access to the courts in the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

The best interests of our people led me towards Whanau Ora to provide the opportunity for our whanau to advance their own aspirations; to put in place the means by which they can create and implement their solutions.

And the people's wellbeing has also been uppermost in our thinking in securing resources to address rheumatic fever; removing tobacco displays from shops; in promoting health literacy and cultural competency; in halving the price rises on power and petrol as part of the emissions trading scheme; in upholding te reo Maori.

If there is one word that has dominated our advocacy and our policy action as a party it is whanau.

I believe that the power of the collective is the biggest contrast between the Maori Party and other parties, including Mana. Over the last weeks, I have been rung by a number of individuals who have been asked out of the blue to stand for Mana. It's a bit of a different view to that promulgated by those who insist there is huge support out there!

Mana appears to be placing their priority on individuals with a media presence. Former MPs from the Greens, the Alliance and the Maori Party; veteran activist John Mintoand high-profile lawyer Annette Sykes are among those already named.

In my view, politics has to be about more than being able to front the cameras. I believe it must be driven by one force - the people not the politicians, the polls, or the papers.

Maoridom has lost some outstanding leaders over the past year - including of course former Governor General the Rt Rev Sir Paul Reeves - and within our own iwi, Sir Atawhai Taiaroa and Nanny Nui, Te Manawanui Pauro. As we reflect over these profound losses, we must strive to emulate their example - to place our faith in the people; and to live up to their aspirations for themselves. Our rangatira lived in a way which demonstrated overwhelming

commitment and sacrifice for the greater good of the people. I will never cease to be inspired by their vision; a vision which leads to the betterment of us all.