MĀORI PARTY CONSTITUTION 2008
Kia rangatira te tū a Te Pāti Māori hei rōpū whakatīnana i ngā rau wawata o te iwi Māori, o te motu hoki.

Part 1: Kaupapa and Tikanga

HE KUPU WHAKATAKI
The Maori Party is born of the dreams and aspirations of tangata whenua to achieve self-determination for whānau, hapü and iwi within their own land; to speak with a strong, independent and united voice; and to live according to kaupapa handed down by our ancestors.

The vision for the Māori Party will be based on these aspirations, for they speak to us of whānau whose wairua is strong and vibrant; who have fully developed their spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical well-being; and who are confident, secure and pro-active in all aspects of the environmental, social, cultural, economic and political life of this great country of ours.

The MÄORI PARTY is for all citizens of this country. Its
• founding was an initiative of Māori, te kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea, for the benefit of all citizens of this land
• policies and practices derive from kaupapa tuku iho that are values that provide for the wellbeing of all and are in a constant state of enrichment and refinement as insights are gathered from new experiences and discoveries
• vision is of a nation of cultural diversity and richness where its unity is underpinned by the expression of tangata whenua-tanga by Māori, Te käkano i ruia mai i Rangiätea and
• commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of this nation and to its whakapapa is steadfast.

TE WAIHANGA I TE KAUPAPA
The Māori view of the world is described through pürākau, karakia, möteatea, whakataukï, whakapapa and many other puna korero. Kaupapa Māori is the foundation of Māori culture and is derived from this Maori world-view. Growing from within the kaupapa are our tikanga, like trees spring from Papatüänuku. The tikanga are the policies, practices and organisational structures of the Party that are aligned and consistent with the foundation kaupapa and will benefit not only Maori, but all those people who lay claim to this country as their homeland.

To achieve its vision, the Māori Party's existence will be based on kaupapa Māori, the foundation principles of the Māori world, and the bedrock from which we frame the objectives of the organisation. The Maori Party will demonstrate tikanga, consistent with kaupapa Māori.

NGĀ KAUPAPA O TE PĀTI MĀORI
The following kaupapa and tikanga, while not exhaustive, are consistent with the Māori world view and help us define and maintain the Party's focus and structure. These kaupapa can be framed as the objectives of the organisation, with various tikanga covering policies, operations and organisational structures emanating from these kaupapa.

1. Manaakitanga
Manaakitanga is behaviour that acknowledges the mana of others as having equal or greater importance than one's own, through the expression of aroha, hospitality, generosity and mutual respect. In doing so, all parties are elevated and our status is enhanced, building unity through humility and the act of giving. The Party must endeavour to express manaakitanga towards others, be they political allies or opponents, Māori and non-Māori organisations, taking care not to trample mana, while clearly defining our own.

Tikanga of the Maori Party derived from Manaakitanga
• to be recognised by Māori as a political organisation that does manaaki the aspirations of Mäori;
• to ensure that relationships between the Party and whänau, hapu, iwi and other Mäori organisations are elevating and enhancing;
• to promote a fair and just society, to work for the elimination of poverty and injustice, and to create an environment where the care and welfare of one's neighbour is still important.
• to ensure that members agree to work together, treat each other with respect and act with integrity in their party work.
• to involve all peoples in the process of rebuilding our nation based on mutual respect and harmonious relationships.

2. Rangatiratanga
Rangatiratanga is the expression of the attributes of a rangatira (weaving the people together) including humility, leadership by example, generosity, altruism, diplomacy and knowledge of benefit to the people. As an organisation, the importance of walking the talk, following through on commitments made, integrity and honesty is demonstrated. As a people, rangatiratanga is reflected in the promotion of self-determination for Mäori, and an expression of the rights defined by Mana Atua, Mana Tupuna and Mana Whenua.

Tikanga of the Maori Party derived from Rangatiratanga
• to recognise and acknowledge the authority of whänau, hapu and iwi in their respective electorate;
• to enhance the relationship between Tino Rangatiratanga and Käwanatanga as provided for in Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• to assert and confirm the role of Maori as tangata whenua;
• to promote Mäori self-determination through the establishment of a forum to provide a Mäori viewpoint and guide and advise the parliamentary team;
• to acknowledge, nurture, support and reflect rangatiratanga within the Party and other Mäori organisations;
• to ensure that the conduct and activities of the parliamentary team, leaders and the organisation as a whole are reflective

3. Whanaungatanga
Whanaungatanga underpins the social organisation of whānau, hapü and iwi and includes rights and reciprocal obligations consistent with being part of a collective. It is the principle which binds individuals to the wider group and affirms the value of the collective. Whanaungatanga is inter-dependence with each other and recognition that the people are our wealth.

Tikanga of the Maori Party derived from Whanaungatanga
• to promote and contribute to the survival of Māori as a people;
• to promote respect for all cultures and ensure all people have an understanding of, and respect for the status of tangata whenua;
• to encourage relationships between whänau, hapü, iwi, other Mäori organisations and the Party that reflect inter-dependence;
• to promote whanaungatanga as the model for good collective arrangements between different parties

4. Kotahitanga
Kotahitanga is the principle of unity of purpose and direction. It is demonstrated through the achievement of harmony and moving as one. All are encouraged to make a contribution, to have their say and then together a consensus is reached. As a nation, the Party will promote harmonious relationships between all people.

Tikanga of the Māori Party derived from Kotahitanga
• to consistently work for unity among Māori people;
• to avoid taking decisions and approaches that lead to division and disharmony within the organisation;
• to establish a parliamentary team that can work together and are committed to speaking with a single voice on behalf of Māori;
• to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships amongst all people;
• to promote nation-hood based upon a knowledge of a shared heritage and an understanding and celebration of cultural distinctiveness.

5. Wairuatanga
This is reflected in the belief that there is a spiritual existence alongside the physical. It is expressed through the intimate connection of the people to our maunga, awa, moana and marae, and to tüpuna and atua. These connections are affirmed through knowledge and understanding of atua Mäori and must be maintained and nourished towards the achievement of well-ness. It is central to the everyday lives of Mäori people and is integral to the way Mäori view the world.

Tikanga of the Māori Party derived from Wairuatanga
• to encourage, maintain and promote spiritual identity and connection with the land;
• to break down secular and non-secular divisions and promote a unified and holistic approach to life;
• to develop a wairua nourishing and nurturing environment within the organisation;
• to promote the importance of oranga wairua for Mäori well-being;

6. Mana Whenua
Mana Whenua is the principle which defines Māori by the land occupied by right of ancestral claim. It defines turangawaewae and ükaipö, the places where you belong, where you count, where you are important and where you can contribute, Mana Whenua is essential for Mäori well-being. The places Mäori find ourselves, our strength, our energy are where Mäori have mana whenua. Once grounded to the land and home, Mäori are able to participate in society in a positive, productive manner.

Tikanga of the Maori Party derived from Mana Whenua
• to ensure that the Party is of the Māori people;
• to assist Māori to establish and maintain their connections to their own land;
• to develop arrangements that foster the values of ükaipö, of importance, belonging and contribution within the organisation,
• to develop a parliamentary team that will take advice and guidance from Mäori in the first instance;
• to promote mana whenua as the basis for land management policies.

7. Kaitiakitanga
Kaitiakitanga embraces the spiritual and cultural guardianship of Te Ao Mārama, a responsibility derived from whakapapa. Kaitiakitanga entails an active exercise of responsibility in a manner beneficial to resources and the welfare of the people. It promotes the growth and development of the Māori people in all spheres of livelihood so that Maori can anticipate a future of living in good health and in reasonable prosperity. Preserving and maintaining the Party so it can continue to fulfil its functions and duties is implicit within this kaupapa.

Tikanga of the Māori Party derived from Kaitiakitanga
• to encourage an extensive recording programme to collect and archive mätauranga Mäori with kaumätua and other repositories of knowledge;
• to promote the achievement of wellness and well-being for Māori;
• to foster and promote sustainable management and growth of the economy so as to provide a stable and secure environment for future generations;
• to create a clean, safe and healthy environment by promoting the protection, restoration and enhancement of mauri within our natural environments.

8. Mana Tupuna / Whakapapa
Mana Tupuna is that which defines who Mäori are as people. It is the bridge which links us to our ancestors, which defines our heritage, gives us the stories which define our place in the world. Mana Tupuna helps us know who we are, from whom we descend, and what our obligations are to those who come after us. This is achieved through the recital of whakapapa, tracing the descent from Te Kore, to Te Pö and eventually through to Te Ao Mārama. Whakapapa is also a tool utilised in analysing and synthesising information and knowledge.

Tikanga of the Māori Party derived from Whakapapa:
to encourage the view that all Māori are related leading towards co-operation and unity,
to support endeavours by Māori to establish and maintain our whanau, hapu and iwi connections and continue our positive contribution to wider society ;
iii. to promote whakapapa as an analysis and synthesis tool within the research activity of the Party.

9. Te Reo Rangatira
Ki te kore tätou e körero Māori, ka ngaro te reo,
Ka ngaro te reo, ka ngaro ngä tikanga.
Ka ngaro ngä tikanga, ka ngaro tätou ki te Ao.
Ko te reo te kaipupuri i te Mäoritanga.
Te Reo Māori is the cornerstone of all that is Māori. Accelerating the revival of te reo Mäori is a central focus of the Mäori Party. Te reo Māori is the medium through which Mäori explains the world. The survival of the people as Māori and the uniqueness of Mäori as a race will be enhanced through the maintenance of te reo Māori.

Tikanga of the Māori Party derived from Te Reo Rangatira
• to ensure the revitalisation of te reo Māori;
• to promote wider recognition of te reo as the first and official language of the country;
• to promote the development and growth of the te reo Maori both as the indigenous language of this country, but also as the appropriate language to carry Maori knowledge and contemporary Maori customs;
• to promote mätauranga Mäori pathways that are of benefit to the people and lead to our advancement;
• to provide for research and development that leads to the advancement of mätauranga Mäori and ensures the survival of the people as Māori;
• to provide opportunities to encourage bi-literacy in our society.

Part 2 RULES

1. Name
The name of the party shall be the ‘Māori Party' (The Party).
The Party shall be a political party and shall maintain registration in terms of S.63 of The Electoral Act 1993.
1.3 The registered office of the Māori Party shall be determined by the National Council.

2. Objectives
To acknowledge and fulfil the Kaupapa set out in this constitution.
To develop and implement the party policy manifesto consistent with the kaupapa.
To ensure the election of competent persons as parliamentary representatives.

3. Membership
The Maori Party is an inclusive and broad political movement and accepts membership from any persons who:
• work to support the Maori Party kaupapa and tikanga;
• act within the Maori Party constitution;
• abide by lawful decisions made in accordance with the Maori Party constitution;
• pay the appropriate membership fee;
• and who is not a member of a competing political party as determined by the National Council.

3.2 Any Person of at least 13 years of age may make application to join the party.
A person may apply to join directly to the Secretary on an official membership form or through an Electorate Committee. Any person of 13-16 years of age may become a non-voting Junior member of the Maori Party, for a gold coin membership fee for a three year membership; and at 17 years of age and over, members will enrol at a koha based membership for three years membership as adults with full voting rights.

3.3 The applicant shall be advised in writing by the Secretary or the Treasurer of acceptance of their membership. Commencement of membership for the purpose of clause 3.5 and 3.6 shall take effect from the date of the acceptance of the application form by the Secretary or Treasurer.
3.5 On acceptance, financial members shall be entitled to attend and participate in party membership meetings and to stand for party internal office-holders positions.
Any person who is a member of the Maori Party on the date at the opening of nominations, shall be entitled to participate in decision-making in local candidate and local list recommendations.

3.6 The registration fee entitles membership for three years.

3.7 The National Council may decline or cancel any membership that the Council believes does not meet the criteria outlined in clause 3.1. The applicant shall be advised in writing of the decision. The applicant may appeal that decision at the next National hui of the party where the decision shall be final.

4. Party Structure
4.1 The Party has an National Council (‘the Council') which provides the Party leadership according to the kaupapa.
The Council comprises the following -
Two Co-vice presidents (one female, one male) and two Co-leaders (one female, one male) who shall hold office for three years and;
Up to four Council members selected by each Electorate (including rangatahi and both wahine and tane), or their substitute as determined by each Electorate. Each shall hold office for one year.

Removal and Replacement
An Electorate Council member can be removed from the Council by consensus of the Electorate Council. The election of the co-leaders to take place at the first AGM following a general election.
All decisions of the Council shall be by consensus (Consensus may be defined as "the view of the majority").

5. Electorate
5.1 Each Māori electorate shall be represented on the National Council. Further electorates may from time to time be accepted by the Party National Council.
5.2 Each Electorate shall have an Electorate Council which shall be responsible for all party activities in the Electorate.
5.3 Each Electorate shall hold an Annual Hui of financial members.
5.4 The composition of the Electorate Council shall be determined by the Annual Hui of financial members of that Electorate.
5.5 The activities and business of each Electorate shall be organised as each Electorate decides and at all times be consistent with the Party's kaupapa.
5.6 At each Annual Hui, three National Council members, and their substitutes shall be selected as defined in clause 4.2.

6. Annual National Hui
6.1 The party shall annually hold a National hui. Such hui shall be no later than the 1st November at a place and time approved by the Council. The business of this meeting shall be:
(a) Selection of Co Presidents and Co Leaders
(b) Receiving of Council, Electorate, and any other reports
(c) Receiving the year's audited financial reports
(d) The amendment, cancellation or addition of any party rule.
(e) The consideration and acceptance of policies prepared by the Council or Electorate Committees.
(f) Receiving, considering and acting upon any other remits from the Council or Electorate Committees.
(g) Such other matters necessary for the carrying out of Party activities.
All remits must first be passed by the Electorate committees who shall forward them to the National Council at least six weeks before the Annual Hui.
All decisions of the annual Hui shall be by consensus (as defined in 4.4 above).

7. Special National hui
The Council may call a special National hui at any time and shall, at the request of three electorates or by request of at least 200 financial members from each of three Electorates.

8. Candidate Selection
Candidates shall be selected as set out in the First Schedule below.

9. Alteration of Constitution
The Constitution may be amended, added to or rescinded by resolution of the Annual National Hui of the Party or a Special National hui convened for such purpose.

10. Resolution of differences
10.1 All financial members agree to work together to support the Constitution of the Party and to treat each other with respect and are expected to act ethically and with integrity in their party work. Differences that may arise from time to time shall be resolved at the earliest opportunity by those involved.
10.2 Disciplinary action may be brought against a member who:
refuses to comply with the Party Constitution;
improperly deals with any party funds;
in any other way wilfully brings the party or its members into public disrepute.
10.3 A serious complaint against a member for any of the above reasons shall first be communicated in writing to the relevant Electorate Council. If it cannot be resolved at this level, it shall be referred to the Disciplinary and Disputes Committee of the National Council who shall act swiftly and with discretion to seek resolution of the matter; and that the dispute is resolved on the basis of the kaupapa of the Party.

10.4 The Disciplinary and Disputes Committee of the National Council shall:
• Be elected by National Council
• Take office for three years only as per clause 4.2 but may be elected for a second term
• Be chaired by one of the Co-Presidents
• Meet as required and deemed by the Co-President
• Not exceed five members
• Declare any conflicts of interest at the start of any meetings
• any vacancy that arises shall be filled by a National Council representative elected by a majority of the national council
• The quorum shall be three including the Co-President or nominated Chair
• Nominate a new chair should the Co-President declare a conflict of interest
• Direct the Co-President to vacate the chair in the event that a complaint is leveled at that Co-President
• All resolutions shall be reported to the National Council
• All complainants shall be advised of the outcomes

11. Position on National Council
The Electorate Committee shall determine the standard required for members to represent the electorate on the National Executive.

12. Dissolution Clause
12.1 An Annual National Hui of the Party may resolve that the Party be dissolved as from the date to be named in the resolution, and may also by such resolution direct the method of disposing of the assets and property of the Māori Party after its dissolution.
12.2 Upon the resolution being confirmed at a subsequent meeting called for the purpose and held not earlier than 30 days after the date on which the first resolution was passed, the Party shall be dissolved.
12.3 A notice of the resolution and its confirmation shall be sent to the Electoral Commission and the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. The property of the Maori Party shall upon dissolution be transferred to such political or other organisations having objects similar to those of the Maori Party within New Zealand as the meeting of dissolution shall determine or in default as may be determined by the High Court of New Zealand on the application of the National Council.

FIRST SCHEDULE
A. Candidate selection
Our candidate selection process shall be based on the principles of:
• whanaungatanga,
• mana whenua,
• manaakitanga,
• rangatiratanga,
• kotahitanga,
• wairuatanga,
• kaitiakitanga,
• mana tupuna/ whakapapa,
• transparency,
• fairness,
• participation,
• reasonable notice and

B Selection process overview

1 Candidates for Electorate Seats
1.1 There shall be hui of each electorate to select candidates at which all financial members who live within the boundaries of that electorate, shall be entitled to attend and to participate in the selection of the candidate provided they are members on the date that candidate nominations open. In the case of Maori electorates, financial members of Maori descent or on the Māori roll who live within the boundaries of that electorate are eligible to participate.
1.2 Clear notice of the nomination criteria and selection process to be followed must be circulated and made available to eligible financial members at least two weeks prior to the nominations closing date.
1.3 The candidate selection hui shall, if there is a consensus, select the candidate according to the circulated process.
1.4 Failing a consensus being reached, the financial members shall refer the matter to the Electorate Council who shall have the authority to select the candidate.
1.5 Where either the candidate selection hui or its delegates have reached a consensus as to who should be the candidate, this person's name shall be submitted forthwith to the National Council and the National Council shall immediately either confirm the nomination, or, if in the opinion of the National Council the nomination requires further consideration, the National Council shall meet with the Electorate and resolve a way forward.
1.6 Where the electorate is already served by a sitting Member of Parliament who wishes to stand again, the delegates (National Council Executive Members for that electorate) shall consult their electorate about the process that will be followed for confirming the MP for that electorate;
1.7 Upon completing the consultation process, the delegates shall submit the name of the selected MP forthwith to the National Council, and the National Council shall immediately confirm the nomination;
1.8 If in the opinion of the National Council, the nomination requires further consideration, the National Council shall meet with the Electorate to resolve a way forward.
1.9 Electorate Councils will ensure strict conflict of interest policies are established and complied with for the candidate selection processes to ensure neither selection processes nor prospective candidates improperly influence the selection process.

2. Candidates for List Seats
2.1 Electorate Councils shall determine and prioritise their five list nominations (which may include the electorate candidate) according to an agreed process
2.2 All nominations for the party list shall be party members of that Electorate