The viral sensation of New Zealand‘s youngest Member of Parliament in 170 years, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, is taking social media by storm. The 21-year-old, representing the indigenous Maori people, delivered a powerful maiden speech in December 2023 that resonated with the public.
In her impassioned address, Maipi-Clarke made a profound promise to her electorate, declaring, “I will die for you … but I will [also] live for you.” The young MP, elected in October of the previous year, holds the distinction of being Aotearoa’s youngest since 1853.
Dedicating her speech to the children of New Zealand, Maipi-Clarke highlighted the struggles faced by Māori youth in reclaiming their native language and identity. Addressing those who have felt marginalized, she urged, “Never fit in. You are perfect. You are the perfect fit.”
Politics is no stranger to Maipi-Clarke, with her familial lineage deeply embedded in New Zealand’s history. Her great-great-great-great-grandfather, Wiremu Katene, served as the first Maori minister to the Crown in 1872. Her aunt, Hana Te Hemara, played a significant role in delivering the Māori language petition to the New Zealand Parliament in 1972. In 2018, her grandfather, Taitimu Maipi, garnered national attention for protesting Hamilton’s colonial legacy by vandalizing a statue of Captain John Hamilton.
Hailing from Huntly, Maipi-Clarke manages a Māori community garden that educates local children about gardening in alignment with the Māori lunar calendar. Additionally, she has authored a book encouraging young people to connect with the stars and the moon for personal healing.
The remarkable journey and impactful words of Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke have captured the attention and admiration of the public, making her a symbol of hope and inspiration for the future generation in New Zealand.
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