Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz

Tena ano tatou katoa.

I was surprised to receive an invite from an old work colleague to attend the Tauranga Sunrise Rotary Club recently. By 'Sunrise”, they were serious and met at 7.00am!

As I admitted to the audience, I wondered what the heck I was doing speaking with them, as hardly anyone there could vote for me! The point was made in jest and I had an opportunity to talk about my life and Parliament. I think from the questions at the end, that they got a better understanding about the life of a politician, more particularly, a Māori Party politician.

I have to say that I appreciated the audience for wanting to hear from me and engage in discussions. But what I found most revealing was to realise, once again, that there is a fundamental lack of knowledge and understanding about how democracy works in this country for both Māori and non-Māori.

I had the opportunity also to speak recently to two Māori professional bodies and one which states their belief in honouring the Treaty in how they go about their work. I was quite shocked that the vast majority of those present knew little of the Parliamentary make-up, how laws are made and governance at a national level. This seems a sad situation because in general, it is these professional leaders and bodies that communities look to, to assist in the political environment.

So to address that I will be sending my usual letter to every marae and Māori organisation in Waiariki asking for an opportunity to discuss these issues with them. If any of you would like to catch up with me on these matters, I am more than willing, so I ask that you phone my office on 0508 924 274. This notion of democracy is what people have fought and died for, and it is only appropriate that we acknowledge the contribution that our armed forces have given and continue to give. They have left us a great legacy and this should be cherished. E kore ratou e warewaretia.

Finally, a big ups to Pirirakau Incorporated society, the supreme winner at the Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards. The vision put out there by Pirirakau was to get all the Te Puna community engaged in restoring and protecting Ongarahu Pa. In just over eight months, Piriraku engineered the people, the funding and the materials to recreate the traditional pa site.

More than 200 volunteers were involved; creating an ancient trench; a bridge; a whakaruruhau (shelter) and the traditional palisade fencing (tuwatawata). Good on you Tommy Kapai Wilson and your team – you have breathed life into our history and in the process brought a community together, to bond in the pride and the passion of their own distinctive cultural heritage.

I welcome your feedback. Contact email [email protected] ; phone 0508 924 274; postal PO Box 12028, Rotorua 3045.