Annette Sykes

Annette Te Imaima Sykes (born c.1961) is a Rotorua activist and lawyer who fights for the rights of Māori tribes to be self-governing.[1] Annette is ranked third on the joint Internet Mana list for the New Zealand general election, 2014.[2]

AnetteSykes

Biography

Sykes is of British as well as Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Makino descent, two of the confederated tribes of Te Arawa waka.

Sykes is a graduate of University of Auckland and has been practising as a lawyer since 1984. She is a consultant for law firm Kathy Ertel and Co. Sykes is a human rights lawyer specialising in the rights of indigenous peoples to promote their own systems of law.

Sykes is an advocate for Māori independence and a nuclear free, genetic engineering free independent Pacific. She was a Māori Party member[3] but became a prominent member of the Mana Party in 2011.[4] She was listed second on the Mana Party list for the 2011 election,[5] as well as standing in the Waiariki electorate.[6]

Work and reaction

Sykes has been heavily criticised for her work regarding Māori independence, having received death threats and bullets in her letterbox in retaliation for her work.[7] She has also been an outspoken supporter of controversial figures in Māori politics such as Titewhai Harawira which has earned her much criticism.[8]

Sykes was lawyer to high-profile activist Tame Iti[9] who was convicted of charges in relation to the 2007 New Zealand anti-terror raids.

References

  1. "A new power in the land". The Dominion Post. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  2. "Annette Sykes formally announced as Waiariki candidate". Mana Party. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  3. Kay, Martin (31 October 2010). "Maori consider new hikoi on foreshore". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. Tahana, Yvonne (27 June 2011). "Mana Party to take policy plans on the road". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  5. "Party lists for the 2011 General Election | Elections New Zealand". elections.org.nz. 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011. Annette
  6. "Information for Voters in Waiariki | Elections New Zealand". elections.org.nz. 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011. Waiariki
  7. Gregory, Angela; O'Sullivan, Fran (17 April 2002). "Stakes in treaty game high". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  8. Ruth Berry (17 January 1999). "Waitangi activist at PM's side". The Sunday Star-Times.
  9. "Iti and Tuhoe to make Waitangi mark". Stuff.co.nz. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2011.