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Download AudioPolitical commentator Shane Te Pou says National’s Hamilton West candidate will have a baptism by fire.
Tama Potaka has worked for Tainui Group holdings in the city, and he’s now the chief executive of Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki.
Mr Te Pou, who’s a former Labour candidate and campaign manager, says with the seat likely to go back to blue, the Te Aute old boy can expect some intense scrutiny.
“It’s a baptism of fire. You have a short burst of prominence and he needs to be ready for that – probably three weeks of scrutiny in terms of his background – personal aspects always come into it,” he says.
Mr Potaka has a lot of experience which will be valuable for him as an MP, but if elected he will have to get used to the lowly position of being a back bench MP in Opposition.
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