New Zealand Younger MP ana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is New Zealand's youngest Māori Member of Parliament (MP). Elected in 2023, she represents the Hauraki-Waikato electorate. At just 21 years old, Maipi-Clarke made waves by defeating Nanaia Mahuta, a long-standing MP who had held the seat for nearly two decades. Maipi-Clarke is a passionate advocate for Māori rights and culture, and her election represents a new generation's push for change.

Her activism is deeply rooted in her Māori heritage. She belongs to a mix of iwi (tribes), including Nga Puhi, Waikato, Taranaki, Ngati Porou, and Ngai Tahu. Maipi-Clarke has worked tirelessly to promote and preserve Māori culture, particularly Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar) and Matariki (the Māori New Year). She is also an advocate for food sovereignty and sustainable practices within her community.

In her early years, she published a book called Hina, which focused on Maramataka, reflecting her early commitment to preserving Māori traditions. During her time as an MP, she gained attention for her fiery speeches, notably one in Parliament where she used the haka—a traditional Māori war dance—to rally her community. Her speech focused on the impact of government policies on Māori people, particularly regarding land, water, and cultural rights.

Maipi-Clarke’s political views include support for lowering the voting age to 16, reflecting her belief in youth involvement in governance. She is also critical of the National-led coalition government’s stance on Māori issues, advocating for better representation and protections for indigenous people.

BY: G.Umaramanan