April 09, 2018
Marama Davidson on Paakiwaha
Marama Davidson on Paakiwaha
Marama Davidson steps into the shoes left empty by Metiria Turei as she is named the new co leader of the Green Party
Marama has grown up all over Aotearoa. She was born in Auckland, and started school in Wellington. Her family then moved to Dunedin, then Christchurch.
When Marama was nine her grandfather passed away, and her family went to Hokianga for the first time, to bury him. Her father was so enthralled by this beautiful homeland, which he had never been to before, that he moved the family back to Whirinaki in Hokianga.
Whirinaki became home for the rest of Marama’s childhood, until she moved to Hamilton to start university. She then moved to Auckland to finish her degree, and has stayed in Auckland since.
Marama's parents met as young, urban Māori activists; she was literally born into the movement. However, it was Marama’s ten year career at the Human Rights Commission that brought life to her activist and social justice foundations.
Marama worked part-time as the Chief Panelist for the Glenn Inquiry into Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. Her involvement in the inquiry has placed violence at the forefront of her political radar. Marama supports the compassionate and necessary work that MP Jan Logie leads around violence, and longs for a day when we can call Aotearoa violence free.
As well as supporting movements on the ground, Marama is also an online activist. She has a powerful presence on social media, which she sees as a great way to vocalise important issues and to engage with the community. She is a blogger, and writes about social justice, Māori politics, women’s rights and more.
Marama is passionate about all areas of injustice, and is committed to using her voice wherever she can to elevate issues. She is inspired by community leaders who do the hard work and stay connected to the issues and the people in their neighbourhoods.
Marama is inspired by her nana, who passed away 15 years ago, as she was a woman who lived a lifetime of challenges. She is grateful to her parents who are wise and love their children unconditionally. She is also deeply inspired by our Māori language warriors.
Marama currently lives in Manurewa, and is a proud mother to six tamariki.
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