Hana Rauhiti Kariyarki Mypee Clarke is a young and dynamic politician making waves in New Zealand’s political arena. Born in 2002, she is 22 years old and considered one of the rising stars in the country’s political scene.
Hana’s entry into politics was through her representation of the indigenous Maori community in New Zealand, historically marginalised. As a member of the Te Parti Maori political party, she worked tirelessly to represent the interests and needs of her community in Parliament.
In the 2023 parliamentary election, Hana’s efforts and hard work paid off when she won a seat in Parliament from the Te Parti Maori Party. Her victory was historic in many ways, as she became the youngest Member of Parliament to represent New Zealand in 170 years.
Hana’s political journey has been inspiring, and her rise to prominence is a testament to her dedication and commitment to public service. She is widely regarded as a role model for young people in New Zealand who aspire to impact their communities and the world positively.
Whose ‘mypi’?
Maipi Clark is a distinguished member of several lineages of the Maori clan, including Ngapuhi, Ngati Poru, Tel Ati Awa, and Ngai Tahu. Her father, Potaka Maipi, was a renowned announcer for the New Zealand Television Service for over ten years. He won numerous awards for his work and is considered a prominent figure in the media industry. Maureen’s history is one of perseverance and determination against the white Europeans for fundamental rights such as standing, Maori language, and other rights. She and her ancestors overcame many obstacles to achieve equality and recognition.
Maipi Clarke’s great-grandfather, ‘Wee Kutne,’ made history by becoming the first Maori member of the New Zealand Executive Council. He powerfully advocated for Maori rights and worked tirelessly to promote their interests. His legacy continues to inspire the Maori community to this day.
Historical enquiry shows that the struggle of the Maori goes back many generations. It can be traced back to Hana Rauhiti Kariyarki Maipi Clark’s great-grandmother, who played a significant role in fighting for Maori rights. Her legacy has been passed down through the generations, inspiring Maipi and others to continue the fight for equality and justice.
The modern clamour for the rights of the Maori people
In September 2020, Hana Rauhiti Kariyaraki Maipi Clark delivered a passionate speech on the rights of the Maori people in front of the New Zealand Parliament. Her speech was well-received and caught the attention of several powerful political parties, who extended invitations for her to join active politics. Despite the tempting offers, Hana remained loyal to Te Parti Maori, a political party representing the Maori people’s interests.
Te Parti Maori recognised Hana’s talent and gave her a special place as a keynote speaker for the party. Her speeches continued to inspire and motivate the Maori people, and she quickly gained popularity amongst them. Later, a man named Mikey Clark also joined Te Parti Maori and ran for the 2023 election, using his popularity to his advantage.
The election was a significant event for Te Parti Maori as they were up against strong contenders such as the Labor Party. However, Mikey Clark defeated a strong candidate from the Labor Party, Nanaiya Mahuta, with a majority of 2,911 votes. This was a significant win as Nanaiya Mahuta had been a strong contender.
After winning the election, Mikey Clark made history by becoming the youngest member of Parliament in New Zealand, a remarkable achievement. The victory was a moment of pride for Te Parti Maori, who had secured a place for themselves in the New Zealand government.
The heroism displayed in the Parliament
In December, the Parliament witnessed a historic event when a young Maori woman delivered her first parliamentary speech that aimed to showcase the character and strength of the Maori people. Her speech left a lasting impact on the world, and many international media outlets featured her story on their front pages. The woman passionately delivered the Maori warriors’ battle cry, using stomping feet and wide eyes to convey their strength, and represented the true power of Maureen.
During her speech, the young Maori woman criticised the coalition government led by the New Zealand National Party. She pointed out that they have failed to remove the injustice done to the New Zealand Maori. She highlighted the lack of education and access to necessities such as health, sanitation, and housing, which has deprived Maori children of their rights and freedom. She demanded that the Maori be treated as human beings and urged that the age limit for voters in local elections be reduced to 16 years.
The young Maori woman is Maipi Clarke, who made history by becoming the youngest MP elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 170 years. She feels honoured to represent her Maori community and believes the current government neglects the Maori people, but they should not be ignored. She advocates for the rights of the Maori and emphasises that it is her responsibility to ensure their safety.
Maipi Clarke’s words reflect the struggles of the Maori people and the need for their representation in the government. Her speech was a demonstration of the Maori’s strength and a call to action for the government to address the longstanding issues of the Maori community.
The journey to find the Indigenous people of New Zealand
In 1642, a Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, discovered a powerful society during his expeditions. Tasman wrote about his surprise when he saw the people on the beach, who were identified as the Maori people. Tasman observed that the Maori people were a formidable society of strong, energetic, sharp, and agile men and women. He described how the people shouted with wide eyes and gnashing teeth, initially making him and his team apprehensive.
However, during Tasman’s observation, he and his team were attacked by the Maori people, and the place where the conflict occurred became known as the “Bay of Assassins.” Despite this, Tasman’s discovery marked the beginning of European immigration to New Zealand, with foreign nationals starting to settle in the country in 1769.
Unfortunately, the arrival of European immigrants brought various forms of persecution and abuse to the indigenous Maori people, including forceful land acquisition, exploitation, and other forms of oppression. These oppressive conditions, coupled with further deprivation, have caused great sadness for the Maori people.
Despite their challenges, the Maori people maintained their rich traditions and cultures, which have existed since ancient times. Today, the Maori population of New Zealand is about 891,000, and they continue to strive for political representation. The modern political representation for the Maori people is ‘Hana Rauhiti Kariyarki Maipi Clark’, a significant achievement for a society that has endured a tumultuous history.
