Sharples Pita: Motions — Norway—Bombing and Mass Shooting 
Sharples Pita: Motions — Norway—Bombing and Mass Shooting 
[Volume:674;Page:20160] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 Tena koe e Mr Speaker. Today marks another occasion in the life of this forty-ninth Parliament when we stand shoulder to shoulder to share the collective grief at the loss of life on such an immense scale. The massacre on the island in Oslo unfolded on 22 July exactly 5 months to the day since the Canterbury earthquake robbed our nation of so many lives. And so we feel that sense of tragic futility that comes in the wake of a disaster of such a scale. 
But we have another special connection to the events that played out in Norway which comes through our relationship to Sharidyn Meegan Ngahiwi Svebakk-Bohn a young woman described as beautiful caring and vigorous a young woman mourned by her grandfather Rex Matthews of Kahungunu who lives in Porirua. She was a mokopuna who is also sadly missed by the people of Tuhoe. 
Sharidyn known as Sissi was from all accounts thriving in the activities of the youth camp on Utøya Island. She had turned 14 just 5 days before being shot down at the camp by Anders Breivik who stands accused of killing 77 people in the bombing and shooting rampage. She was a young woman robbed of experiencing the fullness of life and someone described as a courageous young lady who took every challenge with ease. She was a child who had been nurtured by her family to care for others to be a proud tuakana to her sisters and to make an energetic and compassionate contribution to our society. Our sympathies are extended to her parents her two younger sisters and the wider whanau whether they are here at home or in Norway. Rest in peace Sissi and all those who lost their lives that fateful day. 
I have no desire to give further air time to the vile racism and murderous intent executed on that horrific day. The global condemnation of this massacre has an unfortunate consequence of drawing attention to the ideology the gunman sought to promote. I want to instead focus on the message that the Prime Minister of Norway expressed and that was a message of restraint. Jens Stoltenberg called on political leaders to show restraint as they react to the savage violence meted out on the 77 victims of the bombing and the youth camp attack. His words are very insightful and I will quote them. He told the Norwegian Parliament that the 22 July attacks gave reason to contemplate “whether we could have expressed ourselves differently. That goes for politicians for editors in the canteen and on the Net.” The judiciary and even the court of public opinion will make their respective judgments about the actions of the confessed killer and the appropriate sentence he should receive. What we have a responsibility to do is to focus on the families bereft of loved ones the community feeling as if their sense of peace and stability has been irreversibly threatened and the global nation as we respond to the profound grief and sorrow experienced in Norway just 10 days ago. 
The Maori Party joins with others in this House to express our utmost sympathy to the families associated with this dreadful day in the history of Norway. We acknowledge too the particular loss for the Labour Party which connects to its colleagues across the globe. We resolve to continue to promote the values that we have inherited that are found in tikanga and kaupapa Maori as a means of supporting us or finding a pathway forward during times of duress. These kaupapa remind us to place value on unity through diversity. 
Na reira Sissi koutou nga mate o tera parekura tae noa ki nga mate o tenei wa a Whetu Tirikatene nga wahine rangatira i mate mai i tenei wiki haere koutou i te mohio ka arohatia tonutia e matou nei nga morehu haere atu ra haere. 
[ 
So to you Sissi and the victims of that calamity including the deaths of the moment: namely Whetu Tirikatene and the noted women who died in recent weeks journey on in the knowledge that we the remnants will always love you. Farewell depart 
.]