Dame Tariana Turia’s ex-political party, Labour, joined in today’s second pōwhiri to pay their respects to the late politician.
Speaking to Te Ao Māori News, Willie Jackson, who joined parliament three years after Turia, said Labour had mistreated her.
“Labour didn’t treat her well and I was very clear, I wasn’t a supporter of Labour in those days, I absolutely supported her and Māori party.
“But Parties change, you know, Labour changed, Te Pāti Māori changed, and so parties go through this, but we should learn the lessons of how to fight and when to fight from Tariana Turia.”
Jackson originally joined parliament with the Alliance party in 1999, the same time Turia was with Labour.
“I always use to talk to her about a Māori party but she was quite Labour in those days believe it or not ... she wasn’t always Te Pāti Māori but she was always mana motuhake, she was also tino rangatiratanga.
“I think that’s the thing with Tari, she knew how to work our rangatiratanga [and] our mana motuhake under Labour, under National, that is why she is so special.”
With Turia planned to be buried the same day as the Treaty Principles Bill submissions close, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins called it disappointing.
“It’s really disappointing that as we recognised her life’s contribution to New Zealand politics, we currently see a government that’s actually heading in the other direction.”
The ex-Prime Minister said she had a huge impact on politics in Aotearoa, especially changing the face of politics for Māori.
“If you look at her decision to leave Labour [and] set up the Māori party, it had a profound affect on the way that Māori issues are handled in Parliament.
“I think that overall, we should recognise that.”
Alongside Hipkins and Jackson from Labour were Carmel Sepuloni, Cushla Tangaere‑Manuel, alongside kaumatua Ken Kennedy.
