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Marama Davidson

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The Honourable
Marama Davidson
MP
Davidson in 2023
1st Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence
In office
6 November 2020 – 27 November 2023
Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern
Chris Hipkins
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byKaren Chhour
3rd Co-leader of the Green Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 April 2018
Co-leader with James Shaw, then
Chlöe Swarbrick
Preceded byMetiria Turei
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Green party list
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 November 2015
Preceded byRussel Norman
Personal details
Born
Marama Mere-Ana Paratene

(1973-12-29) 29 December 1973 (age 50)
Auckland, New Zealand
Political partyGreen
RelationsRawiri Paratene (father)
ChildrenSix
WebsiteGreen Party profile

Marama Mere-Ana Davidson[1] (née Paratene; born 29 December 1973)[2][3] is a New Zealand politician who entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2015 as a list MP (member of Parliament) representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, of which she became the female co-leader in 2018.

In October 2020, the Green Party signed a cooperation agreement to support a Labour-led government. Davidson became the Minister outside Cabinet for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, as well as holding the Associate Housing portfolio.[4]

Early life and education

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Davidson was born in Auckland and is of Ngāti Porou, Te Rarawa, and Ngāpuhi descent.[5] Her father is the actor Rawiri Paratene. Both her parents were Māori language campaigners in the 1970s.[6] During her youth, the family moved a lot; Davidson started school in Wellington, but subsequently lived in Dunedin and Christchurch. At age nine, her family moved to Whirinaki in the Hokianga, where she spent the rest of her childhood. She started her degree in Hamilton and finished it in Auckland, from where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.[5][7] She also holds a Graduate Diploma in International Diplomacy for Indigenous Studies through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.[5]

Professional career and community engagement

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Davidson worked for the Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2012.[8] She has worked part-time for Breastfeeding New Zealand.[9] She was a 'Think Tank Member' for the Owen Glenn Inquiry on Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.[10] She is a founding member of Te Wharepora Hou Māori Women's Collective.[8]

Political career

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New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2015–2017 51st List 15 Green
2017–2020 52nd List 2 Green
2020–2023 53rd List 1 Green
2023–present 54th List 1 Green

Fifth National Government, 2013–2017

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Davidson is an environmentalist and human rights advocate.[6][11] In June 2013 she stood for the Green Party in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election, where she came fourth with 11.15% of the vote.[6][12]

At the 2014 election she stood in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.[13] She was ranked 15th on the Green party list and entered Parliament in 2015 with the resignation of Russel Norman.[14]

Davidson has called for liberalisation of abortion law, in addition to better sex education, improved access to contraception, and more support for adoption, having had an abortion as a teenager.[15]

During the 2017 general election, Davidson was ranked second in the Green Party's final candidate list in April 2017.[16] Following the release of the full election results on 7 October, Davidson was reinstated as a list Member of Parliament.[17] The Green Party won 6.3 percent of the votes and eight seats.[18]

Sixth Labour Government, 2017–2023

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Davidson at her marae, Matai Ara Nui Marae in Whirinaki, following her election as co-leader in 2018

Following the resignation of Metiria Turei as co-leader of the Green Party in 2017, Davidson was poised as a possible contender for the co-leadership.[19] On 4 February 2018, Davidson officially announced her candidacy for co-leader,[20] and on 8 April won the female co-leadership election, defeating fellow MP Julie Anne Genter who also contested the position.[21] After summing the co-leadership of the Greens, Marama stated that the Greens' responsibility was to push the Labour-led coalition government in a progressive direction including the abolition of letting fees on rental homes.[22]

On 8 July 2018, Davidson reported that she had received rape and death threats against her and her children on social media after tweeting support for the Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff's decision to ban two Canadian far right speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux from Auckland Council facilities as part of a speaking tour in August 2018.[23][24]

In response to this, Davidson stated during an anti-racism rally, attended by families with children, that New Zealand needs to reclaim the word "cunt".[25]

In 25 March 2020, Davidson became a member of the Epidemic Response Committee, a select committee that considered the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]

During the 2020 general election on 17 October, Davidson was re-elected to Parliament on the party list.[27] Davidson also contested Tāmaki Makaurau, coming third place behind Labour incumbent Peeni Henare and the Māori Party's candidate John Tamihere.[28] The Green Party captured 7.9% of the popular vote (226,754).[29]

Following prolonged negotiations between the Greens and Labour which concluded in a "cooperation" agreement on 31 October 2020,[30] Davidson was designated as the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence and also became Associate Minister of Housing with responsibility for homelessness.[31][32]

Davidson was challenged in May 2021 by the National and Act parties for attending and speaking at a Mongrel Mob gathering at the Waikato Chapters headquarters in Hamilton.[33] Davidson attended the gathering with fellow Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere and the Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt.[33][34] The gathering discussed human rights, justice and racism and Davidson defended attending and speaking at the gathering saying in a tweet that it was a "fabulous community event for justice".[33] Davidson also defended attending the gathering saying that it is vital that a range of communities are engaged with and tweeting that gangs were part of the "diverse communities, who have been subject to enduring and systemic racism".[35]

While canvassing at a counterprotest against Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's planned speech in Albert Park in March 2023, Davidson stated during an encounter with Counterspin Media host Hannah Spierer, "I am a prevention violence minister, and I know who causes violence in the world. It is white cis men, that is white cis men who cause violence in the world". She was later criticised for this remark by ACT Party leader David Seymour, National Party leader Christopher Luxon, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who called on her to resign from her ministerial portfolio.[36][37] The comment was made after she was struck by a passing motorcyclist who was part of a support group of Destiny Church pastor Brian Tamaki. She didn't require medical attention at the time, and filed a police report at the scene. She later spoke without mentioning the incident.[38] Prime Minister Chris Hipkins disagreed with her choice of words but stated that he understood the context she had make the remarks following the motorcycle and Counterspin incidents.[37] Her message received support from Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, who accused white men of asking her to apologise for her lived experience after having been assaulted.[39]

On 20 June, Davidson was ejected from House proceedings after claiming that ACT MPs were promoting racism through their line of questioning during a debate about national health service Te Whatu Ora's new "Equity Adjustor Score." Several ACT MPs including Karen Chhour and James McDowall claimed that the Equity Adjustor Score favoured Māori and Pasifika patients over other ethnic groups. In response, Davidson stated that "the nature of these questions are absolutely intended to raise racist opinions amongst the New Zealand public." Speaker Adrian Rurawhe rebuked Davidson for making accusations of racism and ordered her to apologise. Dissatisfied with her apology, Rurawhe ordered Davidson to leave the House.[40][41] Te Pāti Māori co-leader Ngarewa-Packer defended Davidson, claiming that the opposition parties were engaged in race-baiting against Māori.[41]

Sixth National Government, 2023–present

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The Green Party increased their Members of Parliament from nine after the 2020 election to fifteen after the 2023 New Zealand general election, including Davidson.[42] This was the party's best election result ever. However, the election generally favoured right-wing parties. It is expected that, once negotiations are concluded, Davidson's Green Party will not be part of the government. After official results were released, Davidson said the party would "lead the ongoing fight to eliminate poverty, honour Te Tiriti, protect nature, and build a climate-resilient future for our mokopuna".[43]

In late November 2023, Davidson assumed the Green Party's conservation, child poverty reduction, prevention of family violence and sexual violence, and social investment spokesperson portfolios.[44]

On 5 December 2023, Davidson was granted retention of the title The Honourable, in recognition of her term as a member of the Executive Council.[45]

Political views and positions

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Donald Trump

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On 5 June 2020, Davidson and fellow Greens Co-Leader James Shaw described United States President Donald Trump as a racist in response to a question fielded by press gallery journalists following the protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd in late May.[46]

Israel-Palestine

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In October 2016, Davidson took part in the Women's Boat to Gaza, which intended to highlight the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Other passengers aboard included the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire and retired US Army colonel Ann Wright. On 5 October, the Women's Peace Flotilla's ship Zaytouna Oliva was intercepted by the Israeli Navy. In response to the boarding of the Women's Peace Flotilla, Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei called on the Israeli authorities to release Davidson and other activists, and to end the blockade of Gaza.[47][48]

On 11 May 2021, she and 16 other New Zealand Members of Parliament donned keffiyeh to mark World Keffiyeh Day.[49]

Personal life and family

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Marama Davidson is married to Paul Davidson, with whom she has six children; their last child was born in 2008.[50][51][52] Davidson is a qualified aerobics instructor and used to teach part-time classes at Les Mills International in order to support her children and university studies.[22]

In late June 2018, Davidson disclosed that she had been sexually abused as an eight-year-old child by a distant relative during a Speaking Secrets podcast, a co-production by The New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB.[53][54] During the New Zealand Parliament's formal apology to homosexual men convicted of consensual acts before the passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986, Davidson acknowledged that her uncle had assaulted a gay man after reacting badly to his proposition. Her uncle was subsequently convicted of manslaughter and imprisoned when the victim fell into Wellington Harbour and drowned. Davidson apologised on behalf of her late uncle to the LGBT community in New Zealand.[55]

On 17 June 2024, Davidson announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and would undergo a partial mastectomy.[56]

References

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  1. ^ "Declaration by Electoral Commission That Marama Mere-Ana Davidson is Elected a Member of Parliament". 2 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Roll of members of the New Zealand House of Representatives, 1854 onwards" (PDF). New Zealand Parliament. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  3. ^ Williams, J. S. "Marama Davidson". Women In Peace. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Ministerial List for Announcement" (PDF). www.beehive.govt.nz. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Marama Davidson". Māori Television. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Bennett, Adam (26 May 2013). "Greens select child abuse campaigner for Ikaroa-Rawhiti". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Marama's story". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  8. ^ a b "About Marama Davidson". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  9. ^ "A Mum Did This – Marama Davidson". Mums on Top. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  10. ^ Harvey, Sarah; Kilgallon, Steve (3 July 2013). "Davidson to stay with Glenn inquiry". Stuff. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  11. ^ "Marama Davidson selected as Green Party candidate for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti" (Press release). Green Party. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Results of the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  13. ^ de Graaf, Peter (23 August 2014). "Candidates urged to keep promises". The Northern Advocate. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  14. ^ Davison, Isaac (4 November 2015). "New Green MP Marama Davidson introduced to Parliament". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  15. ^ Davidson, Marama (2 November 2014). "Marama Davidson: For Lent, give up judgment". Herald on Sunday. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  16. ^ "Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand List 2017". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  17. ^ "2017 General Election list of successful candidates" (PDF). Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  18. ^ "New Zealand 2017 General Election – Official Results". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Political Roundup: Why Marama Davidson is likely to become the new Green Party co-leader". The New Zealand Herald. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  20. ^ Bracewell-Worrall, Anna (4 February 2018). "Greens co-leadership race: Marama Davidson first off the blocks". Newshub. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Marama Davidson elected new Greens co-leader". Newshub. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  22. ^ a b Braae, Alex (9 April 2018). "Marama Davidson: If I'm going to be labelled radical, I'm fine with that". The Spinoff. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  23. ^ Foxcroft, Debrin (8 July 2018). "Greens co-leader Marama Davidson receives violent threats on social media". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  24. ^ "Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson receives death threats". Newshub. 8 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Green co-leader Marama Davidson says New Zealand must reclaim the 'C-word'". Newshub.co.nz. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Epidemic response". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  27. ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Tāmaki Makaurau – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  29. ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Greens accept Labour's offer for 'cooperation agreement'". Radio New Zealand. 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Election 2020: Green Party votes to be part of next Government with Labour". Stuff. 31 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Ministerial List for Announcement on Monday" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 November 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  33. ^ a b c "Green Party's Marama Davidson, Human Rights Commissioner under fire for attending Waikato Mongrel Mob gathering". Newshub. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Simeon Brown blasts Marama Davidson's Mongrel Mob Kingdom meeting". Māori Television. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defends visit to Waikato Mongrel Mob gang pad". Newshub. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Greens co-leader responds to criticism for blaming 'white cis men' for violence". 1 News. TVNZ. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  37. ^ a b Palmer, Russel (27 March 2023). "Marama Davidson clarifies violence comments from Posie Parker protest after calls to resign". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  38. ^ Chapman, Madeleine (25 March 2023). "Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson struck by motorcycle at protest". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  39. ^ Witton, Bridie (28 March 2023). "'This is about Marama's lived experience': Te Pāti Māori back Green co-leader after 'white cis men' comment". Stuff. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  40. ^ Pearse, Adam (20 June 2023). "Greens co-leader accuses Act of racist questioning, Speaker ejects her from the House". Newstalk ZB. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Surgery waitlist racism row: Davidson booted from Parliament debate". 1 News. TVNZ. 20 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  42. ^ "2023 General Election: Successful candidates". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  43. ^ MacManus, Joel (3 November 2023). "Greens win the party vote in Rongotai after special votes". The Spinoff. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  44. ^ "Greens unveil portfolio spokespeople". 1 News. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Retention of the title "The Honourable"". New Zealand Gazette. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  46. ^ Roy, Eleanor (5 June 2020). "New Zealand minister says yes – Trump is racist amid George Floyd protests". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  47. ^ Sachdeva, Sam (6 October 2015). "Green MP Marama Davidson detained in Israel, PM John Key says it's a 'less-than-perfect look'". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  48. ^ Davidson, Isaac (7 October 2016). "Green Party MP Marama Davidson heading home after release from Israeli detention centre". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  49. ^ Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (11 May 2021). "MPs Showing Solidarity With Palestinians At A Time When It Is So Desperately Needed". Scoop. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Topic: Teina Davidson: 3 years old". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  51. ^ "We talk to Marama Davidson about Home Birth". Home Birth Aotearoa. June 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  52. ^ "Marama Davidson says speaking out about suffering sexual abuse as a child is allowing other victims 'to not feel alone'". 1 News. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  53. ^ "Marama Davidson opens up on sexual abuse". Newstalk ZB. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  54. ^ Campbell, Georgina (27 June 2018). "Speaking Secrets: Marama Davidson's painful memory of sexual abuse". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  55. ^ "Green MP Marama Davidson speaks of the harrowing impact of homophobia on family". The New Zealand Herald. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  56. ^ "Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson announces she has breast cancer". Newshub. 17 June 2024. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Female co-leader of the Green Party
2018–present
Served alongside: James Shaw 		Incumbent
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