Marama Mere-Ana Davidson is a New Zealand politician who entered the New Zealand Parliament in 2015 as a representative of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, of which she is the female co-leader.
23 Facts About Marama Davidson
2.
Marama Davidson was born in Auckland and is of Ngati Porou, Te Rarawa, and Ngapuhi descent.
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Marama Davidson started her degree in Hamilton and finished it in Auckland, from where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
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Marama Davidson holds a Graduate Diploma in International Diplomacy for Indigenous Studies through Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.
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Marama Davidson worked for the Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2012.
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Marama Davidson was a 'Think Tank Member' for the Owen Glenn Inquiry on Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.
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Marama Davidson is a founding member of Te Wharepora Hou Maori Women's Collective.
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Marama Davidson was ranked 15th on the Greens party list and entered Parliament in 2015 with the resignation of Russel Norman.
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On 4 February 2018, Marama Davidson officially announced her candidacy for co-leader, and on 8 April won the female co-leadership election, defeating fellow MP Julie Anne Genter who contested the position.
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In 25 March 2020, Marama Davidson became a member of the Epidemic Response Committee, a select committee that considered the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Marama Davidson contested Tamaki Makaurau, coming third place behind Labour incumbent Peeni Henare and the Maori Party's candidate John Tamihere.
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Marama Davidson was challenged in May 2021 by the National and Act parties for attending and speaking at a Mongrel Mob gathering at the Waikato Chapters headquarters in Hamilton.
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Marama Davidson attended the gathering with fellow Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere and the Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt.
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The gathering discussed human rights, justice and racism and Marama Davidson defended attending and speaking at the gathering saying in a tweet that it was a "fabulous community event for justice".
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Marama Davidson defended attending the gathering saying that it is vital that a range of communities are engaged with and tweeting that gangs were part of the "diverse communities, who have been subject to enduring and systemic racism".
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Marama Davidson was later criticised for this remark by ACT Party leader David Seymour, National Party leader Christopher Luxon, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who called on her to resign from her ministerial portfolio.
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Marama Davidson didn't require medical attention at the time, and filed a police report at the scene.
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Marama Davidson's message received support from Te Pati Maori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, who accused white men of asking her to apologise for her lived experience after having been assaulted.
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Marama Davidson is married to Paul Davidson, with whom she has six children; their last child was born in 2008.
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Marama Davidson is a qualified aerobics instructor and used to teach part-time classes at Les Mills International in order to support her children and university studies.
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Marama Davidson's uncle was convicted of manslaughter and imprisoned when the victim fell into Wellington Harbour and drowned.
22.
Marama Davidson apologised on behalf of her late uncle to the LGBT community in New Zealand.
23.
In October 2016, Marama Davidson took part in the Women's Boat to Gaza, which intended to highlight the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.