Rau rangatira mā, tēnei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te rā – mana wahine.

 Ko Te Mata taku maunga

Ko Tukituki taku awa

Ko Tau iwi

Ko ngati pakeha ahau

Taku ingoa ko Steve Chadwick

No reira. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tātou katoa.

Thank you Lewis Moeau for opening our hui this evening. Thank you Shenagh Gliesner and Jacqui Te Kani.

I would like to acknowledge Linda Grennell, President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League; my colleague Parekura Horomia and other members of Parliament who are with us; Megan Joe, Deputy President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, who is unable to be present tonight; and Pae Ruha who is responsible for the name of our event here tonight, He Wāhine Pūmanawa, Women of Natural Talents – Pae, ngā mihi aroha ki a koe.

And last, but certainly not least, I thank the League, Te Rōpū Wāhine Māori Toko i te Ora.

Welcome to Past Presidents, the national executive, members, their partners, whānau and other supporters who have travelled far and wide to be here to honour these remarkable women – He Wāhine Pūmanawa.

And remarkable they are – Doreen Erueti, Kiri Scott, Atiria Ake, Edith Mihaere, Maria Parore-Larsen, Tatiana Pimm, Irene Mokai and Evelyn Taumaunu.

If we were to hear their full stories we would be here all night. Instead we will hear a few highlights, but still enough to provide an idea of the tireless effort, contribution, and sacrifice these exceptional women have made to give so much to their whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and of course, to the Māori Women’s Welfare League. I understand that, between them, our honoured guests have collectively been members of the League for more than 300 years.

These women are a reminder of how leadership does not always involve being at the forefront of change. Of course we need women like Kahe Te Rau o te Rangi, Ana Hamu, and the 11 other known Māori women who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi; or Meri Te Tai Mangakahia who was so influential in gaining Māori women the right to vote; or Dame Whina Cooper, whose role as the League’s founding President was just one part of a extraordinary life of passion, leadership and service.

Such women stand as beacons and we need to remember and honour them for their great contribution, but we also need to acknowledge that these outstanding women could only lead because of the untiring support of thousands of others. The League had so much impact when it was created in the 1950s, not only because of Dame Whina Cooper’s inspired leadership, but because of the 4,000 women who joined in the first five years.

Those women could see the real needs that had to be addressed as Māori moved to the cities. They were prepared to do the hard work needed to improve housing, education and health, and to provide support and networks for young people isolated from their iwi, hapū and whānau.

The women we are honouring this evening represent that quiet determination to make a difference. And that determination has characterised the League over the past 57 years. They have worked tirelessly in their communities to help ensure their tamariki and mokopuna achieve their dreams and aspirations.

This evening we honour their efforts.

Nō reira, kei te mihi rawa atu ki a koutou wāhine mā.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tātou katoa.