March 09, 2017
Mahuta snubbed as King endorses Papa for Hauraki Waikato
The chair of Waikato Tainui’s Te Arataura executive, Rahui Papa, has confirmed he will stand as the Maori Party’s candidate for Hauraki Waikato with the backing of the Maori king.
In endorsing Mr Papa at a poukai at Parawera Marae near Kihikihi yesterday, King Tuheitia took a swipe at the sitting MP, his cousin Nanaia Mahuta, saying she no longer had any mana in parliament.
Ms Mahuta dropped to number 12 in Labour’s rankings when Andrew Little became leader, but remains on its expanded front bench and is an influential figure in the caucus and the party.
She says in her 20 years in parliament she has never had a formal endorsement from the Kingitanga, which has previously stayed clear of party politics.
She won’t seek a spot on the party list this time, meaning there is a clear choice for voters.
The election for the seat has become a test not just for the influence of the King but for his leading advisor, Maori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH NANAIA MAHUTA
FULL INTERVIEW WITH RAHUI PAPA
FULL INTERVIEW WITH TUKOROIRANGI MORGAN
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