December 08, 2013
McKenzie vs Rurawhe to succeed Turia
The next MP for Te Te Tai Hauauru will be a man who has worked in the office of outgoing MP Tariana Turia, and who has also negotiated a treaty settlement for his iwi.
That’s part of the work history of both main contenders for the job, Labour’s Adrian Rurawhe and Chris McKenzie.
Mr McKenzie, who was chosen yesterday as the Maori Party’s nominee, managed Tokoroa-based Ngati Raukawa and negotiated its treaty claim before taking up his current job in parliament.
Mr Rurawhe, who is the only candidate for the Labour nomination worked in Mrs Turia’s office between 2002 and 2005.
He went on to chair Ngai Apa and negotiate its treat settlement, and he now manages a Whanganui-based research institute.
He’s the great grandson of Ratana movement founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and the grandson of Iriaka Ratana who held Western Maori from 1949 to 1969.
Mr Rurawhe says he has been involved in politics from as far back as he can remember.
"I’ve tried very much to make my own pathway and to piggyback off the achievements of my grandparents, but I can't deny my whakapapa, and I wouldn't be able to do what I hope to be doing next year without the full support of my whanau, my hapu, my iwi," he says.
At the 2011 election, Mrs Turia won 48.3 percent of the vote but Labour took 42 percent of the party vote in the seat, which stretches from Wellington to Kawhia.
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