August 29, 2013
Jones raises the stakes for Māori in Labour
Starting this weekend, Labour Party members will get a close look at the three contenders for the party’s top job.
David Cunliffe, Shane Jones, and Grant Robertson, will address 12 hustings meetings in the major centres over the next week.
Party members’ votes will count for 40 percent of the total, with MPs getting 40 percent and affiliated unions 20 percent.
Mr Jones says it’s the first time the system has been used, and it is invigorating the party.
He says he’s proud to put a Māori face onto the contest.
"I was privileged to go to university and Tipene with the help of a Māori and Island scholarship from the Department of Education years ago and the Anglican Church, and I've always felt if I could offer something back to build momentum or raise the bar, raise the stakes for our people, I would do it at the drop of a hat," he says.
The hustings meetings start in Levin on Saturday, the Otahuhu Events Centre on Sunday afternoon, Western Springs College Hall on Sunday night and Forum North in Whangarei on Monday.
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