Ready to bring a change to NZ
Paris Winiata has also joined the race for the Te Tai Hauauru seat
My name is Paris Winiata, standing in Te Tai Hauauru in this year’s general election. Originally from Levin, I now live in Wellington. I’m 37, have been married for nearly 15 years and have four amazing children.
So, why am I standing for Parliament, and why should you consider voting for me?
Sadly, like a lot of young Ma¯ ori tane growing up, I come from a broken home that was riddled with drugs and alcohol. I grew up a young promising athlete, but my life was turned upside down at 15 due to family breakdown. I was left to navigate life on my own whilst trying to figure out how to deal to built-up anger and bitterness. Having no real guidance or accountability, I fell on to a destructive path. A few years later at the age of 21, arrested on firearms charges, I knew I had to make some drastic changes to break the cycle I was in. I went along to Destiny Church in 2004 and was overwhelmed by all the males in the church — men I had always aspired to be like, men I could truly trust and glean off.
Fast-forward to nearly 20 years later, and I can honestly say I’m living the life I had always dreamed of. Destiny Church isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the results I’ve seen personally in my life and in the lives of many men I mentor through programmes such as Man Up cannot be denied.
At the end of the day, the career politicians who are supposed to represent us simply don’t know how to ‘fix’ our beautiful country. This is my second campaign for Vision NZ, and the reason I’m running is because I’m a solution-based man, not one to sit there complain, and I believe I am a solution to many of society’s ills. Two of the main policies that resonate with me are Vision NZ’s Empowering Families policy and Freedoms NZ’s (our umbrella party) law and order policy.
In a world where politics often feels disconnected from the lived experiences of its constituents, my story offers a direct, powerful connection. I’m there to hold Government to account, to bring integrity and to act as a role model to our wha¯ nau, showing that regardless of where you come from, you have the power to make the changes and break the cycle.
If you’re ready for a change, please consider me as your Vision NZ candidate, and party vote Freedoms NZ.