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.