May 06, 2013
Search on to fill MP’s shoes
The hunt is now on for candidates to contest the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat of the late Parekura Horomia.
The Labour MP was buried on Saturday at Tolaga Bay after a tangi that testified to the high esteem in which he was held by constituents and by Maori around the motu.
Hauraki Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta says it was a great loss to Labour, and the party must now find a suitable replacement.
She says Mr Horomia built a strong electorate organisation that will influence who gets chosen to contest the seat.
“It’s really a call for the electorate. The new voting population is 45 and under but the people who actually vote is 40 and up. The challenge is to try and enthuse people to vote and continue to vote for their candidate, look for the skills required and for Labour to be able to support their vision for the electorate and for the elections coming up,” Nanaia Mahuta says.
Possible contenders who Mr Horomia had been encouraging to consider a career in politics include Ngāti Kahungunu Chief Executive Meka Whaitiri and Executive Member Hayden Hape.
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