Te Ururoa Flavell: Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader believes the party has lost its way
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What does Te Ururoa Flavell believe about the current state of Te Pāti Māori?
Poor old Māori Party are back front and centre as former leader Te Ururoa Flavell has a crack. They've lost their way, the leaders need to go apparently. He's with us. Very good morning, mate. G'day, Mike. Did you think about going public versus doing this quietly and do you worry in going public you just sort of stir it up again?
Oh, well, it all was motivated actually at the death of Whatarangi Muni at the some four weeks or so ago sitting in the whare and paying respects and listening to the Eulogies to him prompted, I suppose, a time to reflect on his legacy, our legacy, the number of us who were a part of the beginnings of the party and saying, well, I think it is time to say something, just simply because I think that where we are now is way different to where we were under his leadership, and it was important to simply put a view out, if people believe it, so be it. If not, go Dubai, no problem.
It's part of the issue, and so I'm on the outside looking in, obviously, but as part of the issue, when you call it the Maori Party, it's like calling it the man's party or the ginger person's party. Just because you're Maori doesn't mean you coalesce, does it?
The Maori Party, from its very beginnings, and that's why I raised the issue about the kaupapa of the Maori Party as being absolutely inclusive, but certainly driven by dreams and aspirations of Māori people, has always been about this country. Whatarangi made it very clear that from the very beginnings that we didn't want to box ourselves.
How does Flavell view the leadership challenges within the Māori Party?
We needed to be inclusive. We needed to take people with us, and that's what we attempted to do in our time. And as I say, the times, what, a few years ago when a number of us, Tariana Pita and so on, were in the paiti, we protected Māori rights by absolutely advocating as hard as we could with the party of the day, the government party of the day, but we also had times when we were able to, through the whole element of relationships, build strong connections with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister of those times, which allowed us to make some changes and influence, actually, the outcomes for the whole nation.
Yeah, exactly. It's not what it was. That is true. What's your vibe on the ground? Do they stand a chance of winning electorates or not, in your view?
Well, as I say, in my walking around at various tangi and Well, there's been a few major leaders in the last month or so. Everybody comes up, when I say everybody, I better cut it back. Some people come up to me and ask me the question, you know, what's going on with the Māori Party? Asking where it's heading, questioning what it's doing, and also asking actually where should I vote? And I've tried to stay clear of that.
What reflections did Flavell have after attending a recent tangi?
But on the ground, if you're asking me the question, I'd say that we're in for a bit of a hiding. There will be some backlash. I'm pretty clear about that. and I don't think that we'll be able to get to the six seats that we currently hold.
That's what I hear on the ground.
What predictions does Flavell make about the Māori Party's future in the elections?
Good on you, mate. Nice to talk. Have a good weekend. It'll be one or two seats, and they may not get the overhang unless Labour do a deal.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What does Te Ururoa Flavell believe about the current state of Te Pāti Māori?
0:00–1:36
2
How does Flavell view the leadership challenges within the Māori Party?
1:36–2:39
3
What reflections did Flavell have after attending a recent tangi?
2:39–2:55
4
What predictions does Flavell make about the Māori Party's future in the elections?
2:55–3:11
Speakers
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