Hūhana Watene.

Ko Hikurangi te maunga

Ko Waiapu te awa

Ko Iritekura te marae

Ko Te Whanau o Iritekura te hapu Ko Ngati Porou te iwi.

Ko Hamiora Mangakahia Tu Whakairiora Waiti toku papa, Ko Mercia McMahon toku mama Ko Haki Taoho Watene hoa rangatira.

Ko Huhana Watene toku ingoa

Tena koutou nga mema Maori

I am proudly following in my father’s and grandfather's footsteps, both union members (Wharfies) Ports of Auckland. Kia ora I am standing for the new Nga Tumu Whakarae: Maori and am humbly asking you as a Maori member of TEU to support my nomination. The Union has been a significant part of my working career and I have been actively involved for 28 years, firstly in ASTE: Te Hau Takitini o Aotearoa, was part of the merger partnership with AUS forming Te Hautu Kahurangi TEU: Tertiary Education Union. I stand, because I want to be actively engaged in the new Tiriti lead union, using tikanga principles and our whainga that enables practices to be tika (right), he pono (just) and ultimately leading to maramatanga (understanding) for all members. The bravery of TEU members has realised the final recommendation of Moana Jackson’s Tiriti Audit and I mihi to all who passed the new Rules that enabled our Union to be Tiriti lead and will ensure his mahi and my commitment to this kaupapa continues.

Matters relating to priorities I wish to campaign on are issues that are not new, lack of funding, job security, better pay conditions and ongoing purposeful and robust engagement with appropriate Ministers, the sector and relevant Unions. In the University sector it is imperative we stop the proposed staff cuts. I encourage all to actively support TEU campaigns that hold University management accountable – it is extremely poor practice to take the government’s additional funds yet continue to cut staff. Equitable practices must be highlighted as good faith and constructive methods of engagement.

I genuinely believe the years of service in the union and the roles I have been privileged to hold, have prepared me well for the new co-leadership presidency role. Being tasked with co-leading the 2022 National Conference as the Tumu Arataki VP Maori with the then VP Industrial, Julie Douglas confirmed that people who are committed to working collaboratively and in solidarity for all TEU’s membership demonstrates Co-leadership is practical and achievable. In life I practice manaakitanga and take my lead from my whanau, fellow TEU colleagues and Te Hautu Kahurangi’s kaumatua kahui Matua Hone Sadler and Taua Roimata Kirikiri – tena koutou nga mihi arohanunui kia koutou e te whanau.

Naku noa
na
Huhana Watene