Matangireia

Former National MP Harete Hipango may have had a short stint in Parliament. But the Whānganui lawyer has a long history of fighting for her people.Watch the video version of the episode here.*The views expressed in this interview are the honestly held opinion of Harete Hipango who is speaking as a former member of Parliament at the time of recording.Former National MP Harete Hipango may have had a short stint in Parliament. But the Whanganui lawyer has a long history of fighting for her people."I was assaulted by the police in the courthouse because I was Māori" - Harete Hipango talks with Mantangireia presenter Maiki Sherman about her career as a Māori lawyer, and later a National Party MP.In the world of politics Harete Hipango is a name which remains relatively unknown. The one-term National MP barely had time to familiarise herself with the rabbit warren that is Parliament, before losing her seat during last year's bruising election defeat."Three years went by too quickly... not nearly enough was done and achieved," she said.Harete Hipango is however a household name amongst her people of the Whanganui River. A descendent of a prominent whānau within the area, she served as a criminal defence lawyer representing the collective and individual voices of her people for decades.One of the cases she was involved in was the 1995 land occupation of Moutoa Gardens, led by Te Rūnanga o Pākaitore.Having repossessed the disputed land block the occupation lasted 79 days and sparked a standoff with local police."I haven't spoken publicly about this, but the journey that I went on was one of real struggle and hardship," she said."I was treated appallingly by the justice system, by the police, by the court's staff, by the judges, by my colleagues - because I was a Māori woman and I was down there amongst my people, but I was also seen by my people, some, as kūpapa because I worked in the courts."Holding back tears she recalled one day in particular during the land occupation. "I was assaulted by the police in the courthouse because I was Māori - no doubt in my mind about that at all, whatsoever," she said.Walking into the courtroom as a duty lawyer, police demanded they search her."I got searched, I mean patted down the full body search by male police officers. I had two police officers come up to me to restrain me physically, then I had about another two come up and my arm was forced up behind my back."They body slammed me up into the wall."…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Georgina Beyer knows all about breaking barriers - becoming the first transgender MP in the world. But what is her biggest regret as a Māori MP in Parliament?Content warning: This article discusses suicide and could be distressing for some people.Watch the video version of the episode here*The views expressed in this interview are the honestly held opinion of Georgina BeyerGeorgina Beyer knows all about breaking barriers - becoming the first transgender MP in the world. But what is her biggest regret as a Māori MP in Parliament?"A disaster, an absolute nightmare... it was one of the largest proposed confiscations from Māori, in modern times".The former Labour Party MP describes the fallout over the Foreshore and Seabed legislation to Matangireia presenter Scott Campbell.Beyer never shies away from the painful path she took to becoming one of New Zealand's most trailblazing politicians.Beyer's list of achievements are extensive - a drag queen, a sex worker, an actor, an activist, a Mayor, and a MP. In fact, when elected in 1999, she was the world's first transgender Member of Parliament, becoming known for her bold and colourful exterior.But her story is one of pain, adversity, and fear - and it's also one of courage and bravery.Beyer was born George. Her biological father was a policeman who was sent to jail, leaving her mother to fend for herself and two young children.Raised by her grandparents, until her mother remarried, she describes life in the Beyer household as "mildly well-off". Her stepfather Colin was a barrister and solicitor.From around four years old, Beyer started to secretly express her feminine side through theatre, dressing up and acting."If I was caught or discovered, or anything like that, it would be dealt with physical punishment, corporal punishment - beatings, hidings, things like that, to beat it out of me."At 16 years old, George became Georgina, but the abuse followed her from home to the streets.As a sex worker, she was confronted daily with physical and verbal abuse from members of the public."It drove me to suicide... to attempt suicide on three times, in my young life," Beyer said, "I had been pack-raped in Sydney in 1979, which was a terrifying, horrifying experience, and the law didn't defend me."After working in a gay night club in Auckland, she moved from the glitzy lights of Karangahape Road to conservative back blocks of the Wairarapa. It was in Carterton Beyer's career in politics began…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In 1996, New Zealand First shook up the political landscape. And for 25 years, former MP Ron Mark stood by the party and its enigmatic leader.Watch the video version of the episode here.*The views expressed in this interview are the honestly held opinion of Ron Mark.In 1996 New Zealand First shook up the political landscape. And for 25 years Former MP Ron Mark stood by the party and its enigmatic leader."Loyalty demands you stand by your boss and stand by your leader" - Ron Mark speaking to Mantangireia presenter Mihingarangi Forbes on his time in the army and his unwavering service to New Zealand First. Ron Mark is a staple of New Zealand politics. The former New Zealand First MP's political career spans 26 years and he's certainly no stranger to many.But it wasn't until he was in his 30s he found out the meaning of his own name and whakapapa."I was brought up as a foster kid and there's a lot about myself I never knew for a long time."Ron Mark's full Māori name is Rongowhitiao Maaka. The name belonged to Ron Mark's grandfather and was passed down to him as the eldest grandson. "I guess back in that time people chose not to use their Māori name, or they found it challenging when Pākehā and others couldn't pronounce their name," Mark said."So he shortened his name, he used the name Ron Mark as opposed to Rongowhitiao Maaka."Growing up in the state care system was often tough, but Mark found comfort with several good foster families.Among them were war veterans who would become uncles, later inspiring a career in the military. "When other kids wanted to be doctors, and nurses, and policemen, and go to university, I just wanted to be a soldier," he said.He recalled when an uncle spoke to him about the courageous Māori Battalion."He said to me, 'you know, Ronnie, if you'd seen what I saw the 28th Māori Battalion do in Egypt, in Africa and in Italy, you would forever be proud that you're Māori, don't ever forget that'... and that stuck with me for years," he said. Ron Mark joined the army at 16 years old and was surprised at the number of Māori boys who came from the same background as him."Nothing was ever expected of them... in fact, that's what my deputy principal said after he caned me on my final day at school, signed my leaving certificate and told me to get out."Mark said the army instantly felt like family."It was strange, I met these guys and you just had this natural affinity towards each other, they became your brothers."…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the frontline of protests to the corridors of Parliament, former Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira reflects on a lifetime of service to Māori. Watch the video version of the episode here*The views expressed in this interview are the honestly held opinion of Hone HaraweraFrom the frontline of protests to the corridors of Parliament - Former Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira reflects on a lifetime of service to Māori."Not for one second" - Hone Harawira has no regrets over leaving the Māori Party and using the term "white motherf*****" as he reflects on his career in politics to Mantangireia presenter Maiki Sherman.Hone Harawira is a straight shooter - he calls it like he sees it. It's a roughshod approach that's worked for him and for which he makes no apology.From frontline protests across the country to the leather-lined seats of the debating chamber at Parliament, Hone Harawira has been an unwavering voice for change. "We were really bulletproof... we could not be told we were wrong."As a young man he led several protests including against the Springbok Tour with the Patu Squad. "We got offside with a lot of people including a lot of our own people...but in those days there was a demand for change. "We were fighting apartheid but also using it as an opportunity to strike a blow against racism here in this country and that's what it was for a lot of us. Our apartheid, our racism was right here at home," he said.Domestic protest against the Labour government in 2004 would lead Hone Harawira on a pathway to Parliament.The Foreshore and Seabed debate gave birth to the Māori Party and Mr Harawira would win the Te Tai Tokerau electorate seat at the following general election.So, how was protest any different to politics? And what of the very public split from the Māori Party? "It was activism that was driving my career as an MP - my love for kaupapa Māori and for my colleagues - but I remained an activist," he said. He remembers the Māori Party's first years in parliament fondly. "They were great years, they were absolutely great years."A confidence and supply deal with National at the next election would spell an end to that."The parting of the ways came because I felt that we were becoming a little too close to the National Party," he said…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details