Press Release – The Maori Party

Statement from Maori Party on By-election night Pem Bird, President and Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader 25 June 2011Statement from Maori Party on By-election night Pem Bird, President and Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader 25 June 2011

Maori Party President Pem Bird has congratulated Hone Harawira on a successful result in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election.

“This has been an extra-ordinary campaign” said Mr Bird.

“Our utmost respect goes to Solomon Tipene who with less than a month between selection and by-election faced an initiation by storm”.

“We are so proud of the way in which he has conducted himself, and the enthusiasm and ability he has shown against two formidable opponents”.

“His commitment to kaupapa tuku has been evident throughout”

“The Party entered the campaign with the task of rebuilding infrastructure and promoting our kaupapa and tikanga” said Dr Pita Sharples, Co-leader of the Party”.

“We will never forget that the leadership of Te Tai Tokerau asked us to stand and placed that trust in us. We will work hard to regain the seat, and to honour that call they made of us” said Dr Sharples.

“We are pleased that we have reconnected with the people of Te Tai Tokerau and campaigned hard”.

‘We are so grateful for the hard work and tautoko from within Te Tai Tokerau and right across the motu”.

“The challenge is on us all now to continue to rebuild and strengthen our presence in this electorate”.

“We know we can do it – we have been last cab in the rank before – and although we are all disappointed by this result, I am absolutely confident we can learn from this, and come back stronger than before to win the seat in Te Tai Tokerau” ends Dr Sharples.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
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