The NZ Series #23 - Tariana Turia and the Maori Party

Tariana Turia (born 8 April 1944) is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result. She resigned from parliament, and successfully contested a by-election in her former electorate as a candidate of the newly formed Māori Party.

Turia was born in 1944 to an American (probably Native American) father and Māori mother. Her Māori roots are Whanganui, Ngati Apa, Nga Rauru, and Tuwharetoa iwi.

The pictures shown here were made yesterday, wearing a beret with the Tino Rangatiratanga (Maori flag) badge, while being interviewed over the fall-out with prime minister John Key over asset sales. Who knows, it may help bring down this National Party government.