Sharples Pita: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Death of Lieutenant Timothy O’Donnell in Afghanistan 
Sharples Pita: Motions — New Zealand Defence Force—Death of Lieutenant Timothy O’Donnell in Afghanistan 
[Volume:665;Page:12967] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Speaker. Tena tatou e te Whare. Tenei au ka tu hei mangai mo te Pati Maori ki te poroporoaki ki tenei rangatira o tatau kua hinga i te pakanga. E korekorete marama ka mimiti te tai ka ngaro te tangata. Na reira tenei au e tu ana ki te mihi ki te tangi ki tenei hoia kua hinga mai i te pakanga i Afghanistan. Ko ia te tuatahi o nga hoia o Aotearoa i hinga i te pakanga i reira i taua pakanga. Ki te kite i tona whakaahua he tamaiti tonu tona ahua he taitamatane tonu tenei tangata ahakoa kua riro i a ia tetahi honore mo tana mahi mo tana niwha tona para tona toa i roto i te pakanga i East Timor kua riro ki a te honore mo taua mahi. Na reira tenei matou e tangi atu aroha atu ki tona whanau kei Aotearoa nei me te whanau o nga hoia ahakoa kei whea ratou e kawe nei i te kaupapa mo ngai tatou. 
Na reira ka mihi au hoki ki te tokorua kua whara i te pakanga. Ko te tumanako kia piki te ora te kaha kia hoki mai ratou ki te kainga nei. 
Na reira he kaupapa taumaha tenei mo tatou. Kia mahara tatou i te utu mo te pakanga. Ka utua ai te pakanga i te toto tangata. Na reira tenei au e tangi atu ki a ratou katoa mo o ratou kaha ratou niwha i roto i te pakanga a-ao mo tatou o Aotearoa. Na reira ko taku ake ki tona whanau ka nui te aroha ki a koutou kia kaha koutou. Na reira kai te rangatira haere ahakoa haere moata koe kohikohi nga tini mate kia tae koe i mua i te pohiri o ratou e kia nei ko te mana o te tini kia okioki pai koutou. Kia mohio mai koe kua mau tonu koe i o matou ngakau i tenei wa. Hai te rangatira haere haere haere atu ra. Kia ora ra. 
[ 
Greetings to you Mr Speaker and to us the House. I rise as spokesperson for the Maori Party to farewell this leader of ours who has fallen in the line of duty. When the moon wanes and the tide ebbs a life is lost. So I stand here to acknowledge and lament this soldier who has fallen in battle in Afghanistan. He is the first New Zealand soldier to be killed in the line of duty in that war over there. His photograph shows just how young he looks and despite this his deeds boldness bravery and warrior-like qualities have been recognised and suitably honoured in the line of duty in East Timor. So we extend our condolences to his family here in New Zealand and to all soldiers regardless of where they are serving on our behalf.  
I pay a tribute as well to the two who were wounded in the battle. Hopefully they will recover and be well enough to come back home.  
This matter weighs heavily upon us. We must never forget that war can cost lives. So I mourn them all in the light of their courage and being so resolute throughout the global wars on our behalf in New Zealand. To his family I extend much love to you. Be strong. So to you the leader depart even if it is somewhat premature; assemble with the myriads who have passed on before you as they beckon you. Rest there peacefully with them. Be assured that you are in our hearts at this time. Depart the leader; depart farewell and journey on. Greetings 
.]