In my view, the Māori Party should have centred its campaign on the mana motuhake policy and rather than trying to address every possible issue affecting Māori, it could have focused on the policy positions it supported / opposed through position papers. #maoripol
Still trying to get my head around the full details, practicalities and implications but smaller parties would in my opinion do better to focus on their core driver until they have a big enough membership / core base support to branch out. The Greens are an example of this…
Their environmental focus gave them their footing, then over time were able to reach those looking for more radical solutions to social policy. Although, as they’re learning, when votes are tight re-emphasise your core driver.
Parties outside of parliament rely solely on private campaign funds and resourcing is so slim, there is a risk of the analysis speaking solely to the wrong audience - the already convinced.
There is a bigger segment of voters who are looking for somewhere to dine but the menu from each party has too many starter options not enough dessert.
With all that said, if mana motuhake means a Māori parliament akin to Westminster run by Māori, then it risks replicating the colonisers model. But it’s not that, so Im gonna need to reflect on this policy a bit - in principle I ✊🏼 but practically / conceptually am 🤔
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I’m gonna tell my Māori Party story in a thread. Mostly, to help me structure why I’m finding it so emotionally challenging to not support them, but also why I’m struggling to support them currently.
In 2014, I was at the point of not voting at all. But then I write a post about how the Māori Party were the closest aligned to my values at that time. For those who don’t know, I didn’t have a lot of confidence in te Ao Māori, because I mostly grew up in a different world.
Te Ururoa Flavell reached out on twitter to tautoko. From there, I grew to understand more about the party’s founding + aspirations from more of an insider view as opposed to what I had access to in the media. I’d found a kaupapa whānau where I felt my voice was valued.
KD was predictable and slightly too long for a stump, MKK was succinct and to the point, BTK straight up oppositional to all but visibly reading his stump #Decision2020#thehui#maoripol
I understand that candidates must demonstrate their connection to the people they are seeking to represent, but it’s off putting hearing them centring themselves in their stories / replies #thehui#Decision2020#maoripol
BTK stumbles a lot in his replies and while at times he speaks eloquently, that little dig about “working hard” to buy his first house clear lack of understanding about housing crisis today 😬 #thehui#Decision2020#maoripol
Nanaia Mahuta incredibly seasoned and clear in her communications #TheHui#MaoriPol
Donna Pokere-Phillips is right to resist being held to account for previous Māori Party decisions. But it’s natural for the questions to be asked and preparation for them is key #TheHui#MaoriPol
This debate highlights the importance of knowing your electorate. Both are demonstrating their deep connections, but Mahuta has a stronger grasp of the arguments and details #TheHui#MaoriPol
Based on the first segment, I want all 3 in parliament! What a great team that would be for Tāmaki. #TheHui#MaoriPol
So great to see them all tautoko each other while highlighting their unique points of difference and focuses. Am super surprised at JT - what a positive contrast in performance compared to the mayoralty race!
A little bit more fire and differentiating in that round - which is necessary to see the distinctions. The water kōrero was interesting, I like the reference to “water sovereignty” by Peeni. #TheHui#MaoriPol