The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is pleased to announce the appointment of Jack McDonald (Te Whakatōhea, Taranaki Iwi, Te Pakakohi, Te Ātiawa) as Te Kaihautū Māori.
"We are excited to welcome Jack to the senior leadership team at the PSA - he brings a wealth of experience across policy, strategy, communications, and campaigns, strengths that will help PSA continue to advocate strongly for our Māori members and the issues that matter to Māori," said Virgil Iraia, President of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
"There has never been a more important time for the voice of Māori to be heard strongly in the public sector and for the PSA as the country's biggest union to advocate for Māori more generally.
"This government has consistently sought to erode its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, with public service cuts that have impacted kaimahi Māori and reduced services to Māori communities.
"Jack will be a strong defender of the PSA's kaupapa in this regard and continue our work in ensuring collective agreements recognise tikanga and te reo Māori in the workplace. We look forward to having him on board next month."
"He tino harikoa te ngākau mō tēnei tūranga ki te tautoko i ngā mema me ngā kaimahi o Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi me o rātou mahi ki te whakakaha i ngā mōtika o te kaimahi, ki te whakamana i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ki te kōkiri i ngā kaupapa o tātou te Māori hoki," said Jack McDonald.
"Me whakakōtahi ai tātou te hunga kaimahi ki te whawhai ki tēnei kāwanatanga e whakahāwea nei i a tātou i a rā, i a rā. Ka maranga tātou katoa, ka toa."
(I am very happy to have the opportunity to take up this position and support the members and staff of the PSA in their work to strengthen workers' rights, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and advance the interests of Māori.
As workers we should unite to fight this Government that is undermining us on a daily basis. If we all unite, we will win.)
Jack takes up his position on 16 March and will be based in the PSA's Wellington office.
