From Te Whare Paremata

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was officially announced as Te Pāti Māori’s Hauraki-Waikato candidate for the 2023 Election. The announcement was made at Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga Rāhui Pōkeka-Huntly on Thursday.

The 20 year-old is an uri of kaupapa Māori activism and represents a new era of rangatahi political leadership. A published author and expert on maramataka and taiao she is the mokopuna of Timi and Ramari Maipi.

Minister of Māori Economic Development Willie Jackson says they share a tūpuna. Language petition leader Hana Te Hemara is Jackson’s Aunty and Nanny to Hana Maipi.

Speaking from Parliament, Jackson says Hana Maipi is an outstanding candidate.

“She’s a young gun. I’ve met her she was here (at Parliament) for te reo Māori day, her Nanny was an Aunty to me, I think she’s going to be an outstanding candidate.” says Jackson.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Hana is a formidable candidate for Hauraki-Waikato.

“Hana represents the future of our movement. She is young, courageous, and unapologetically Māori. She embodies the Aotearoa Hou that we are fighting for. says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“The next generation need to see themselves reflected in Parliament and in their leaders. As a rangatahi leader she has already made a significant impact on te ao Māori. People are hungry for change and Hana is that change. Hana is a leader our people deserve. says Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi.

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