August 19, 2020
Non-stop campaigning out of favour
The chair of Labour’s Māori caucus says it will be a challenge for parties to keep up interest in the election without campaigning over the next four weeks.
The election will now be held on October 17, and parliament sitting for another three weeks before it is dissolved.
Willie Jackson says the priority has to be the health of the public and ensuring people can campaign and vote in safety.
He says it has given campaigns a chance to take stock.
"I know the Opposition might be looking at things differently but the public will look at you sideways if you are out there campaigning 24 hours a day when the number one priority is getting our communities right, our country right, and making sure this virus doesn’t spread" he says.
Mr Jackson says despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the government has a good story to tell about the positive effects of its regional investment and employment policies on Māori.
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