Minister welcomes Parliaments new kaumatua

Nau mai ra e Kui, e te uri o Ngati Kere, haere mai, hoki mai ki waenganui i a matou.

Ko koe hei pou tikanga, hei toka tu moana, hei whakaruruhau mo nga raiona whakatutu puehu! E ai ki nga kupu a Wiremu Hakipea, ka noho mai koe hei Rohi i waenganui i nga tara.

E ki ana te korero: Mate atu he tetekura, ara mai he tetekura!

No reira whakaeke mai ki runga i te ahurewa i whakawateatia e to hoa e Rangitihi.

Haere mai hei hoa, hei kaiarahi, hei kaiwawao mo nga nga rangatira o te motu, hei kaiwhakapumau i te mana Maori i roto i te pa tuwatawata o te kawanatanga.

The Minister of Maori Affairs welcomes the appointment of a new kaumatua for Parliament.

“Rose White-Tahuparae of Ngati Kere is someone well known to MPs and officials of the House,” said Dr Sharples. “Her critical role is to maintain the mana of Maori people in the citadel of the government and the halls of power.

“To uphold tikanga Maori, to remain steadfast in a boisterous environment, and to settle the lions in the den are the challenges Rose faces. She will be a friend, adviser and guide to the greatest dignitaries in the land.

“As the widow of the previous kaumatua, Rangitihi Rangiwaiata (John) Tahuparae, she comes to the job with a wealth of experience as to what is involved

“I am sure I speak for the Maori MPs in saying we welcome Rose back to our midst, we look forward to working with her, and we offer her whatever support we can in this very important role,” said Dr Sharples.