April 15, 2019
Nuk Korako makes way for next generation
National's Māori development spokesperson Nuk Korako is to retire from Parliament.
He will give his valedictory speech on May 1.
He says a highlight of his five years as a list MP was chairing the Māori affairs select committee and shepherding 16 treaty settlements to a conclusion.
The Parihaka settlement was a particularly poignant one, as Te Whiti o Rongomai and the Taranaki men who were wrongfully imprisoned were looked after by his Rāpaki hapū so the ties run deep.
As chair of National's Māori caucus Mr Korako has driven the development of a new Kahurangi National group to represent Māori in the party.
He says he is retiring now so a National Party candidate can be selected and have time to get to know the issues and people of Port Hills well ahead of the election.
With long serving Labour MP Ruth Dyson retiring at the election, the upscale Christchuch electorate is a likely National pick up.
Mr Korako's departure makes room for National's first Filipino MP to come in on the list, lawyer Paulo Garcia, who stood in west Auckland's New Lynn electorate on a strong "traditional values" and anti-abortion stance.
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