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Tuhoe activist Tame Iti is standing as a list candidate for the Maori Party.
He says he has supported the party since Tariana Turia quit Labour in response to the Foreshore and Seabed Act.
Before that he stood for parliament under the Mana Movement banner.
The health worker and artist recently completed a jail term for arms offences associated with alleged military-style training camps in Te Urewera.
He says the Maori Party is focused on the issues that are important to whanau, hapu and iwi and provides an independent voice for Maori in parliament.
Party president Naida Glavish says Mr Iti has been at the cutting edge of social and cultural change in Aotearoa and the thrilled to have him on board.
The Maori Party has named three other list candidates from within the Waiariki electorate.
Verna Ohia-Gate, who is also contesting Tauranga on behalf of the party, is the sister of the late Monty Ohia, who died in 2008 after being selected to run for the party in Te Tonga.
She says without the Maori Party backing a National-led Government there would be no housing insulation programmes, no Whanau Ora, no quit smoking programmes or funding for rheumatic fever.
Teacher Claire Winitana is standing in Taupo and Rotorua-based entertainer Eraia Kiel is on the list alone.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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