Mana Movement AGM

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Over 300 members of the Mana Movement came together in West Harbour, Auckland, to approve key policies, candidates and leadership heading into the November 26th elections. More photographs HERE

The Rangatahi sing



Press Conference Part One



Press Conference Part Two



Press Conference Part Three



John Minto introduces the Mana movement's radical policies for change in Aotearoa.



Annette introduces Sue Bradford, who outlines the policy of the Mana Movement on Welfare.



Annette introduces veteran unionist Mike Treen from Unite, who outlines Mana's employment policy.



Annette introduces Massey Politics lecturer Veronica Tawhai, who outlines the Mana Movement's policies on Te Tiriti and Tino Rangatiratanga.



Waikato activist Angelina Greensill outlines the Mana Movement's deep concern for Aotearoa's environment, being a party led by Tangata Whenua, the guardians of the land.



Hone began the conference with a brilliant five minute speech on the huge class divide opening up in Aotearoa, but unfortunately the camera was out of power. Hopefully if someone else recorded it, we will get it up here. Hone concludes with this beautiful speech here.



The struggle continues, and the Mana Movement conclude their first AGM unified in song, remembering the struggle and sacrifices made by Maori, workers and the poor before we came together, and taking up the flag to renew the fight again.



Filmed by Joe Carolan from www.socialistaotearoa.org
All videos copyleft and free to use with reference to this site :)


Statement from Hone Harawira
Leader of MANA
Te Piringatahi Marae, West Auckland
MANA AGM
6TH August 2011

Tena koutou katoa.

Today has been a great day for MANA and an even better day for Aotearoa.

We've had people travel up from all round the country, and we're rolling on to the General Election in November, with a simple message - MANA will go into the election as the free and independent voice for Maori, for workers and for the poor in this country.

Our research tells us that if every poor person in this country voted for MANA we would capture half the seats in Parliament, and we intend doing our best to give those people the voice they deserve.

MANA represents a newer, more honest, and more principled way of doing politics.

MANA will promote policies that highlight the Treaty as the foundation of our nation, and the basis by which we can provide immediate relief to those in need and long term change that will return the power to those who do the work. [...]

That's quite clear where Mana stands and the working "poor" as a class takes the catchment well beyond a disgruntled and disillusioned portion of the Maori Party and a fair way into traditional Labour territory. The unenrolled and protest votes that often stay away from the polls now have the ultimate protest vote at their disposal.

[...] MANA will bring a team to parliament like no other in living history, and we invite those who believe in change to give their party vote to the only party with the courage to make the changes we all desire.

Today I can confirm that MANA will contest all 7 Maori seats.

Maori from right throughout the country are walking away in droves from those who partner up with the parties of the rich, and signalling that they want the strong and independent leadership in parliament that MANA represents, the kind of leadership that will generate the change that Maori want.

MANA will also target the General Seats, especially those that represent communities that have been savaged by cuts in health, education and benefits, because even the poor deserve to have a champion in parliament.

We have already fielded calls from our Pacific cousins, beneficiary advocates and people well-known and well-respected in their communities, and we intend investing serious time and energy into pushing our policies in those low-decile areas.

MANA will also be pushing a national campaign to encourage people to give their party vote to MANA because MANA will be the only party with specific policies aimed at reducing prices, creating jobs, sharing the tax burden and keeping our nation's assets in the people's hands.

I have been genuinely humbled by the number of bright and talented people who have offered their support to MANA, but I take on board the request from our electorates that they be given more time to complete the process by which they choose their candidates to ensure that MANA goes into the election with the best possible team.

MANA's list will reflect the people we represent, and I am positive that they will all be leaders in their own right. Some will be high-profile and as a collective I believe that MANA stands a real chance of attracting a good percentage of the list vote.

Our message is simple: party vote MANA if you want real change; party vote MANA if you want an independent voice for Maori, for workers and for the poor.

The energy at our AGM has been awesome. We now have a solid constitutional base, I have been reconfirmed as party leader, Matt McCarten is our national president, and John Minto and Annette Sykes have been appointed as co-vice presidents and spokespeople for MANA as well.

We're ready to roll ...

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa

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