This is a great tribute from previous party President Pem Bird to Helen Leahy who finished up on Friday as the partys Chief of Staff, written on Friday: Helen Leahys last day .. hard to believe after almost 15 years of dedicated selfless service to the maori party during which time she was at the very heart of things , both the parliamentary arm and the party itself. Helen was a standout performer.. physically to begin with you couldnt miss her, flaming red hair that could be seen from miles away . a white , totally cheerful permanently smiley face and a loud infectious laugh that roared with regular frequency announcing an amazingly positive, optimistic never gonna get me down disposition one however that belied an inner stteely resolve, determination , strength,grit and courage. Helen in fact personified all the kaupapa that we hold dear as maori party maori , unconditional manaakitanga, generosity of spirit, of word of deed , whanaungatanga, striving to build and strengthen relationships across the board, kotahitanga , ceaseless in her efforts to unify to unite around common ground, as lived values! The maori party was built from a vision that inspired thousands! The vision however needed builders, kaiwhakairo, weavers,craftsman to build from the ground up to create the foundation upon which our whare could stand secure for a thousand years. We needed heart people who could weave their magic with words,that could resonate with the emotions, the head people who could bring the clinical analytical gaze to bear on the printed and spoken word within our framework. And we are now an integral part of the political fabric and landscape of Aotearoa. We are on the lips of people. We have fashioned a record of achievement that demonstrates we have and continue to make a difference. We matter! We count! You have been everywhere for us Helen, you have been each one of those people described, a true stalwart and servant of our beloved maori party .of indominatable will and indefatigable spirit! Harrd! Staaunch! And proud! More you helped make us proud. I have never thought of you as pakeha Helen which you are.. an irrelevancy.! Not your ethnicity that is important.Rather I have always thought of you as the ultimate maori party kaimahi. the natural, normal but oh so extraordinary one . You as pakeha however are a shining light and example of what is possible if we allow kaupapa and ideas to take charge of our hearts our spirit.Barriers cease to exist! You would stand comparison with the very best of us on the things that matter most. pono, ringa raupa kanohi kitea kaihapai. Ngakau mahaki! Good luck and very best wishes Helen. You star will shine brightly wherever you may go! Arohamutunga kore.Kai runga noa atu koe! He ngakau pouri he kore rawa noku i ahei kia tae a tinana atu ki a koe ahakoa i te ngana au ki te haere! Kia tau iho nga manaakitanga o te runga rawa ki runga i a koe. naku iti nei Pem Bird Noho ora mai
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 10:04:28 +0000
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