January 23, 2023
Media push for Māori deputy misplaced
A Māori political scientist is disappointed there isn’t a Māori deputy prime minister – but it shouldn’t be a vote-loser..
Labour’s caucus gave the task of supporting new leader Chris Hipkins to Carmel Sepuloni, who has Tongan and Samoan roots.
University of Auckland political science lecturer Lara Greaves says while there was media speculation Kiritapu Allen could be considered for the role, she didn’t put her name forward.
“I think it’s disappointing there’s not a Māori deputy prime minister but I think it could feel a bit hollow – you kind of want a Māori prime minister to be elected and to have that mana and have that mandate from the voters and stand up and be elected so it is going to be a challenge for Labour on Māori issue when all the mainstream media journalists are talking about it,” Dr Greaves says.