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Oil exploration and social issues are set to get an airing in the Northland by-election with Mana selecting activist Reuben Taipari as its candidate.
Labour has confirmed Far North District councillor Willow Jean Prime as its candidate, and National is still considering who to put up to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of its MP Mike Sabin.
Mr Taipari says he was approached to stand by party leaders as he led the anti-Statoil hikoi into Waitangi.
He says it’s an opportunity to have a voice for the local communities and people.
"I saw the election was just going to be a Labour-National race. It was going to be a two mainstream voice race, it was going to be boring, there was nobody who was going to get out there and talk about the issues, whether they are environmental, economic or social, it was just going to be everyone vote and then we count up at the end and someone gets a job as an MP," Mr Taipari says .
He would appreciate the entry of New Zealand First leader into the race, because it would increase the media attention on the contest.
The by-election is on March 28.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH REUBEN TAIPARI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjYyOTU=
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