This Monday, the news was released that Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister, elected as her new Chancellor Nanaia Mahuta, a Maori woman – a people originally from New Zealand. Four years ago, she became the first parliamentarian in the country to wear a moko kauae, a traditional tattoo that people of this indigenous ethnic group make on the chin.
Mahuta previously held various portfolios, including Maori Local Government and Development, and is related to the late Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, and the current Kingi Tuheitia, according to Radio New Zealand.
According to the local radio station, the Maori said before her appointment, “I have the privilege of being able to lead the conversation in foreign space,”
New Zealand and the most diverse cabinet
Of the 20 ministerial positions appointed by the country’s leader, whose party (Labor Party) was reelected by a large majority of voters last month, winning with 49.1% of the preferences, eight will be held by women, five by indigenous people. Maori, three by descendants of the peoples of the Pacific and three by homosexual people, among whom is the Deputy Prime Minister, Grant Robertson.
“This is a cabinet and an executive that is based on merit that also happens to be incredibly diverse and I am proud of that,” said the head of the oceanic government, adding that these people “reflect the New Zealand that elected them.”
Regarding the general election, and with 64 of the 120 parliamentary seats won, the Ardern conglomerate was the first to obtain a majority since 1996, when the current political system was established. In addition, this will be one of the most equal in the world, since almost half of the legislative positions will be held by women, far exceeding the global average of 25%.
The original article can be found on our partners’ website
Translation by Lulith V., from the voluntary Pressenza translation team. We are looking for volunteers!
