October 21, 2014
No ego in Mahuta bid for top job
Labour leadership hopeful Nanaia Mahuta says the next leader of the Labour Party must be capable of building a team that can win back the trust of New Zealanders.
The Hauraki-Waikato MP is running against the party's finance spokesperson David Parker, former union boss Andrew Little and Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson, who is reaching out to the party's women members by naming Jacinda Ardern as his preferred deputy.
Ms Mahuta says voters saw Labour as a house divided, and that needs to change.
"This is not about ego. I've got two small children. I could best spend my time working in my electorate, for my electorate and have time for my children so this is about what types of skills will be required to build a strong team, use the diverse skill set that we have in caucus, make sure everyone is on the page and playing the same game to the outcome we require, which is to deliver the policies that will make a difference for more New Zealanders," she says.
Nanaia Mahuta says policies that deliver jobs, education and the prospect of home ownership will be key to winning back power.
Meanwhile, Labour's Te Kaunihera Maori has endorsed Nanaia Mahuta's leadership challenge.
The four candidates addressed the council at Ratana Pa at the weekend.
Chair Daniel Phillips says the new Labour leader must have the ability to listen and connect to the heart of our communities, a track record of enhancing the lives of Maori and all New Zealanders and is committed to the core Labour values of creating opportunities for all.
He says Ms Mahuta is an extremely competent leader who has successfully held the Hauraki-Waikato electorate seat for the last five general elections, she is currently the Senior Vice-President Maori of the Party and leads the Maori caucus.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH NANAIA MAHUTA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjMzMDc=
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