June 30, 2017
Shane Jones now NZ First’s problem
Mana leader Hone Harawira is picking Shane Jones to leap frog into the New Zealand First deputy's spot.
The former Labour cabinet minister today confirmed he will run for New Zealand First in Whangarei, which is held by National's Shane Reti with a 13,000 vote majority.
In his acceptance speech he said Whangarei is taken for granted and gives its votes to a party that continues to mock the regions of New Zealand.
Mr Harawira says Mr Jones' shift to New Zealand First was the worst-kept secret in New Zealand politics, but it's likely to cause some trouble in party ranks.
"Shane is clearly Winston's number two and a whole lot of other people are going to get upset about that because they think they should be but that's life and that's politics and that's leadership. Winston Peters is leader of the New Zealand First party and he determines who is going to come in as his number two and that is obviously going to be Shane," he says.
Mr Harawira says Shane Jones will be a welcome presence back in parliament as an intelligent and independent contributor to the debate and one of the best speakers there in either Maori or English.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com