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Labour list aspirant Willie Jackson says the Maori Party has made a strategic misstep by getting the Maori king to endorse the party’s Hauraki Waikato candidate, Rahui Papa.
He says while Mr Papa has an outstanding record in tribal politics, King Tuheitia’s speech included divisive and disparaging statements about incumbent MP Nanaia Mahuta.
Mr Jackson says Maori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan seems oblivious to the damage he could do to the king movement if Mr Papa loses.
"They’re talking it all up like this is a seat for them to win. she's 7600 votes ahead in that seat. Do you really think Rahui Papa can turn around 7600 votes?. Theres some real question marks over leadership in terms of Kingitanga and there'll be question marks at the end when Nanaia Mahuta wins this seat. What happens when the King loses," he says.
Willie Jackson says the election will be won in the south Auckland suburbs of Papakura, Takanini and Manurewa, where voters have not heard of King Tuheitia because they are too busy trying to make a living and look after their families.
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