May 27, 2013
Ikaroa Rāwhiti candidate a wahine toa
Labour list MP, Shane Jones, says the party has attracted a wahine toa as its Ikaroa Rāwhiti candidate.
Meka Whaitiri, the Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga ō Ngāti Kahungunu, was picked yesterday from a strong field of six to contest the by-election brought on by the death of Labour MP Parekura Horomia.
Mr Jones says while the name may not be known outside of te ao Māori, the former national netball representative will be a valuable addition to parliament.
"Meka’s had a lot of experience in the bureaucracy. She worked for a time in Parekura's office. She's got a couple of degrees that will help her do the policy work. I think Labour has attracted a high quality wahine toa. She now needs to win for Labour the Ikaroa Rawhiti seat and over time learn the trade and learn the craft of being an effective parliamentarian," he says.
Shane Jones says Labour's Māori MPs intend to be with Ms Whaitiri every step of the way during the campaign.
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