May 23, 2013
Six line up for Labour nod
Labour now has six nominees from which to choose a candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by election.
Whoever gets the nod is likely to win the June 29 by-election to replace the late Parekura Horomia, so there will be keen interest in the weekend selection meetings.
The six all have strong iwi and community links and professional skills.
Dannevirke agricultural contractor, Hayden Hape, chairs Kahungunu Ki Tamaki Nui A Rua and sits on the iwi rūnanga.
Meka Whaitiri is Kahungunu's Chief Executive and has a background in sport and the public service.
Henare O’Keefe is a Flaxmere Ward Councillor for the Hastings District Council who, with his wife Pam, have fostered more than 200 children and been active in a wide range of community work.
Molly Keelen-Para is a health worker who is working part-time as a kuia with Tairāwhiti Mental Health Services while she finishes a Masters’ thesis.
Tamati Olsen is currently working as the Chief Adviser in Maori Development at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and has had 20 years of public service expertise.
Shane Taurima is a senior radio, television and print journalist and general manager for Māori and Pacific programmes at TVNZ.
There are six votes to choose the candidate.
Three are held by panellists appointed by Labour's national council, two come from the Labour electorate committee, and one comes from a poll of people who have been members for more than a year.
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