July 24, 2014
High bar set for Maori politics
Maori Party founding co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples make their valedictory speeches in parliament today.
Mrs Turia entered parliament in 1996 as a Labour list MP but quit in 2004 over the Foreshore and Seabed Act.
She returned in a by-election under the banner of the new Maori Party, and in the 2005 general election brought three other MPs with her.
She and Dr Sharples became ministers outside cabinet in 2008.
Maori Party president Naida Glavish says both Mrs Turia and Dr Sharples are quitting at the top, after making a profound contribution to national and Maori politics.
"They're at the height and many would say one should consider leaving when you are at a height. They’ve set the bar high, as it should be, and there are those of us left behind who have the capacity and capability to reach that bar, however high it is they’ve left it," she says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH NAIDA GLAVISH CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjA0MjE=
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