May 25, 2014
Maori Party picks remaining candidates
The Maori Party has given Hato Petera assistant principal Te Hira Paenga the chance to represent it in Te Tai Tokerau in September’s election.
Mr Paenga, who is the stepson of Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, missed out on the Tamaki Makaurau nomination earlier in the month.
The father of five is assistant curate at the Auckland Anglican Maori Mission and holds senior governance roles at Hoani Waititi Marae.
The party picked another educationalist, Marama Fox from Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Porou, as its Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate.
The mother of nine has most recently been working as an advisor to the Ministry of Education, promoting the Ka Hikitia and Tataiako programmes.
Former Christchurch deputy mayor Ngaire Button is the Maori Party’s Te Tai Tonga candidate.
Meanwhile, Labour has reopened nominations for its Tamaki Makaurau candidate.
Party leaders believe many potential candidates did not put their name forward because of the spadework done by broadcaster Shane Taurima.
But that they might come forward now Mr Taurima has been ruled out because of a report critical of his actions that led to his departure from TVNZ.
People have until Wednesday afternoon to put their names up, with a decision likely to be made on Sunday.
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