December 16, 2016
Henare commited to Tamaki electorate.
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare says he’s committed to the electorate and determined to win in 2017.
Some Labour Party strategists have wanted the first term MP to go on the party list so the seat can be opened up for a political play, perhaps involving a deal with the Maori Party.
But Mr Henare says he rejects that approach, and believes it’s vital for Labour to hang on to the Maori seats.
"In the 2014 election all the Maori media jumped up when the Maori weren't on the Labour list and we always said we stand on the vote of the people and if the people don't want us we won't be there and we won't sneak in on the list," he says.
Mr Henare says he appreciates the public endorsement he got from Labour leader Andrew Little and other colleagues.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com