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Labour’s Hauraki Waikato MP says the contribution of Maori and Pacific Island voters will be a factor in Labour’s leadership contest and subsequent rebuilt.
David Cunliffe, who led the party to its worst electoral result since 1922, is stepping down but intends to put his name back into the leadership ballot.
Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson will make a run, bringing on list MP Jacinda Ardern to be his deputy.
Ms Mahuta, who supported Mr Cunliffe in the past two challenges, says it’s a critical contest.
" The challenge is for Labour to achieve what Maori and Pacific achieved which is not only winning electorates but stablilising a negative flow in terms of the party vote. So I think part of the solution is certainly in the Maori and Pacific caucus but it's not the sole solution and we've got a lot of work to do again to mount a strong bid for 2017 and that starts within the caucus and within the party achieving unity and selecting the right leader " she says.
David Cunliffe’s resignation goes into effect tomorrow, and the party’s national council will then set the format for the leadership contest.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH NANAIA MAHUTA CLICK ON THE LINK
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