Hapu Party

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The Hapu Party was a Māori political party in New Zealand that was formed in August 2008[1] and contested the Te Tai Tokerau seat in the 2008 general election. The party was led by David Rankin,[1] a leader of the Matarahurahu hapū of Northland.

Policies and actions[]

The Hapu Party believed that because of poorer Māori health outcomes, and therefore reduced life expectancy, Māori should be eligible for the pension at age 56. It planned to introduce a flat 18% rate for personal tax and GST. It sought to have Treaty of Waitangi settlement monies allocated directly to hapū and marae,[1] and to allow Treaty claims to be made over private land.[2]

The Hapu Party had hoped to have candidates in all seven Māori electorates for the 2008 election,[1] but stood only one candidate. David Rankin, a leader of the Matarahurahu hapū of Northland and the party leader, stood in Te Tai Tokerau and received 202 votes[3] (1% of the total in the electorate). The party did not run in the 2011 election.

Leadership[]

David Rankin, the party leader, became involved in a number of controversies, including attempting to ban Māori Party MP Hone Harawira and his mother Titewhai Harawira from Waitangi Day commemorations in 2007.[4] Later he called for Harawira's resignation following Harawira's allegations of racism towards the Australian prime minister.[5] Rankin became involved in the question of authenticity surrounding the auction of a piece of the famous Kororareka flagpole cut down in Russell in 1844 as an act of defiance against British authority, by his great great uncle Hone Heke.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "New Maori Party to be launched". Scoop. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  2. ^ "Hapu Party issues shock Treaty policy". Scoop Media. 30 September 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  3. ^ "Election Results -- Te Tai Tokerau". Chief Electoral Office. 8 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  4. ^ "Hapu leader warns Harawiras to stay away from Waitangi". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 1 February 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Backlash against Harawira outburst". Television New Zealand. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  6. ^ Tahana, Yvonne (30 March 2009). "Flagpole auction raises history question". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2011.


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