June 30, 2017
Maori Party out to win south Auckland seats
Maori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan says the Pacific Island candidates standing for his party will be out to win seats as well as party votes.
The party this week signed an agreement with the One Pacific movement led by former Cook Islands Prime Minister Joe Williams that will see nine candidates standing in general seats on the Maori Party ticket.
One Pacific put up 21 candidates in the local body elections in Auckland and drew 60,000 votes.
Mr Morgan says they have signed up as members of the Maori Party.
"We think they have a serious opportunity to push the incumbents, those Labour Party MPs in Mangere and Manukau East, so these are people who are very well connected, who are high profile people in their communities and have strong backing of churches across the Pacific nations.
Mr Morgan says many One Pacific supporters supported Labour in the past but now realise their values are more aligned to a kaupapa Maori party.
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