新西兰英语 754 Death of MP, Parekura Horomia

 　　We heard the sad news that Parekura Horomia died at his home in Tolaga Bay, this afternoon. He was 62. He had problems with his weight and tried for many years to improve his health but recently he had not been very well.

　　He had been a Labour Party MP in the Eastern Maori seat since 1999. Under the last Labour government, he was Minister of Maori Affairs for 8 years. Helen Clark, the Prime Minister at that time, said he was well respected among Maori and had a huge knowledge of Maori issues. She said he was one of the kindest people she knew. He was hard working and did his best to improve the life of Maori people.

　　David Shearer¹, the Leader of the Opposition², said he had Mana and dignity. He was loved and respected by his Labour Party colleagues and will be missed.

　　It is very unusual for an MP to die while in office. There will be a by-election some time in the near future to elect a new MP in the Eastern Maori electorate³.

　　Vocabulary

　　?Mana – a Maori word meaning respect, honour, importance

　　?dignity – someone you admire because of the way they behave, similar to Mana

　　?Opposition – not the Government – the other parties

　　?in office – while still an MP in Parliament; office means job

　　?by-election – not a main election. An election for just one electorate seat because the MP has died or left Parliament.

　　?electorate – one MP for each electorate (area)

1 shearer   

n.剪羊毛的人；剪切机

参考例句：

• A bad shearer never had a good sickle. 拙匠无利器。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Eventually, Shearer lost faith, dropping him to the bench. 最终，希勒不再信任他，把他换下场。 来自互联网

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。