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It is a great honour to host this evening’s proceedings to mark the Wellington release of the book Parekura Horomia ‘Kia Ora Chief’.

The official release of this biography occurred over the weekend at Parekura’s beloved Hinemaurea ki Māngātuna at Uawa.

There, his people poured over the personal anecdotes; the funny stories; the heartfelt memories; and the poignant, often intimate photos.

They laughed, they cried, they remembered.

Tonight, we - his parliamentary colleagues - do the same. 

We are here tonight to celebrate a very special person.  For 26 years has worked vigilantly as a volunteer firefighter to keep this community safe.

It is my privilege to be at this community recognition ceremony to honor Maera Maki-Anderson, chief fire officer of the Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade.  

In September this year, Maera was bestowed with the Pride of New Zealand Award in the Emergency Services category.

Tena tatou katoa.

Thank you for the invitation to be present at this event.

This week, many men will wear a white ribbon, not because it’s a new trend, not because it’s a fashion statement, and not because it’s popular.

It’s because it’s a symbol of hope. It is hope for a world where our wahine, women, and our tamāhine, girls live in a world free from the fear of violence.

Wearing the ribbon challenges the acceptability of violence by men getting involved and helping women to break the silence.