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March 10, 2014
Parties scrambling for early election candidates
Waatea Team
Posted On March 10, 2014
The announcement of an early election will put pressure on Labour and the Maori Party to get up candidates for the key seat of Tamaki Makaurau.
Prime Minister John Key announced yesterday the election will be on September 20.
The retirement of Pita Sharples means Labour has a chance to retake the seat, but it has delayed selection while an inquiry is held by TVNZ into the actions of prospective contender Shane Taurima.
Mr Taurima quit as the manager of the state broadcaster’s Maori and Pacific unit after it emerged that he had hosted a Labour Party branch meeting on TVNZ premises.
The Maori Party has failed to capitalise on the delay, only opening its nominations yesterday, with the candidate not set to be announced until May 4.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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