Taking a seat, Māori and Parliament book launch to discuss issues

Prominent academic and political Māori figures will meet to discuss the subject ‘Should each Local Body have Māori seats or surrender to the Auckland Super City model?’ at the book launch of Māori and Parliament, edited by Dr Maria Bargh and published by Huia Publishers with support from Victoria University of Wellington and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: New Zealand's Māori Centre of Research Excellence.

The book launch will take place at the Stout Research Centre, 12 Waiteata Road, Victoria University, Wellington, on Thursday, 30 September at 6.00pm.

With the Local Body elections drawing closer, the panellists will give their perspectives on Māori inclusion on local governing bodies and discuss issues that are critical to Māori and their environments. The discussion will be chaired by Māori Television presenter, Julian Wilcox.

Māori and Parliament vividly depicts the strategies and tactics used by Māori politicians, their supporters and opposition to alter Parliament and the ways these have been adapted to New Zealand’s changing political arrangements, particularly the Mixed Member Proportional system (MMP) or ‘More Māori in Parliament’.

There are twenty-one contributors to the book, including well-known political commentator Colin James and current MPs Simon Bridges (National – Tauranga), Hon. Te Ururoa Flavell (Māori – Waiariki), Hon. Shane Jones (Labour – List), Hon. Nanaia Mahuta (Labour – Hauraki-Waikato), Metiria Turei (Green Party Co-leader) and Hon. Tariana Turia (Māori Party Co-leader – Te Tai Hauāuru).

Copies of the book, retailing at $45.00, will be available in bookstores from Friday, 24 September.

Media and booksellers are invited to attend. To RSVP or for more information please contact Charlie Holland on 04 913 2478 or email charlie.holland@huia.co.nz