Unsurprisingly, Hannah Tamaki is back in the running for the presidency of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. Tamaki took her case to the High Court after members of the League removed her name from the ballot papers amid fears that Tamaki, and by extension the Destiny Church, were attempting a hostile takeover. Justice Kos in his ruling on Wednesday held that Hannah Tamaki is entitled to run for President of the League. However, the Court also expressed concern around the creation of ten Destiny affiliated branches, in which Hannah Tamaki had a hand in creating, and held that those branches are ineligible to vote. Justice Kos held:
Although, the Court did single out three branches with loose connections to Destiny as legitimate. The Court made it clear that Tamaki's religious beliefs do not preclude her bid. The MWWL is strictly "non-sectarian", this means the organisation itself cannot proclaim and/or take a religious stance. It does not mean that the organisations representatives are not entitled to hold personal, or more specifically, religious beliefs.
I find the manner in which the new branches have been established completely contrary to the practices and tikanga of the league.
Although, the Court did single out three branches with loose connections to Destiny as legitimate. The Court made it clear that Tamaki's religious beliefs do not preclude her bid. The MWWL is strictly "non-sectarian", this means the organisation itself cannot proclaim and/or take a religious stance. It does not mean that the organisations representatives are not entitled to hold personal, or more specifically, religious beliefs.
In short the actions of the League were unlawful, but perhaps justified in the sense that the League is attempting to protect its history and mana. Hannah Tamaki should have the opportunity to stand, however her minions should not have the opportunity to vote. Hannah Tamaki has, according to the Court, conducted her bid lawfully. She has not, however, conducted her bid with integrity. Rigging the competition is not on and if Tamaki has any sense of fairness she should stand down. I have said it again and again: Destiny Church wants to secure social services contracts. The government has, on a number of occasions, refused to award contracts to Destiny Church. Clearly the Church cannot secure contracts under the Destiny mast. Consequently, the Tamaki’s have identified the MWWL as a potential vehicle for their new money spinner, i.e. providing social services. The MWWL is one of the most respected Maori organisations in New Zealand and can run on their record promoting Maori wellbeing. The MWWL provides an attractive prospect for the Tamaki’s.
I doubt Hannah Tamaki will win. Many League members are fiercely opposed to her candidacy and will make voting against Tamaki a priority. I guess Tamaki’s play has been good one respect: the MWWL appeared to be in decline, however Tamaki’s play for the presidency appears to have energised the League and spurred renewed interest in the League and what it stands for.
I read elsewhere that there are seven other candidates in the race. In order to beat Tamaki, they need to settle upon a preferred alter native and make sure members know this when voting.
ReplyDeleteThree branches all voting 100% for Tamaki could win against all the other branches if they split their votes.
Thanks for explaining what's really behind all this - I was finding it slightly mystifying. But of course takeovers are always about money and power, and government contracts provide such a lucrative source of both.
ReplyDeleteAs a son of a Maori woman, I hope whatever happens with this episode that Maori women are the major beneficiaries. My mother, like many other Maori women died far too young from cancer and had major heart disease issues too. Maori women have one of the highest rates of cancer in the world and the other negative statistics associated with Maori women do not make pretty reading either. Those who are part of a maori whanau know, the mother is often the backbone of the whanau. If the mother suffers, then the whole whanau is affected. If Hannah Tamaki is elected, or any other of the 7 candidates, then I hope they keep on the the health and welfare kaupapa and not worry about getting contracts for the financial spinoffs.
ReplyDeleteWell if it is the , " man upstairs," time to move in this manner, no one, not even me,mwwl or you david farrar could stop it.
ReplyDeleteBoth of us would be fighting a losing battle.
So sit back and watch it happen...Not even the strongest nation could stop it from happening especially if God is in Control.
Im sitting back..I am...!!!If it is meant to be hannah will be president and if not then every one can breathe again....All the negative people will be getting high blood pressure when really there is no need.
When the league first revoked her candidacy, I originally thought she'd been hard done by. However now finding out that she'd also tried to stack the voting process, I have no sympathy for her whatsoever. If she had any integrity, she would withdraw.
ReplyDeleteAs it is, the 3 Destiny affiliated branches get no more than 30 votes out of a total of about 350, so even with 8 candidates, that's probably not sufficient to sway the vote.
There are eight candidates, Tamaki included. I expect league members to fall behind one or two candidates, however I do not say this with absolute certainty. A situation could develop where members, for lack of a better expression, back their own horse. The threat of a Destiny takeover may be enough to encourage bloc voting for one or two candidates.
ReplyDelete