January 27, 2023
Ruruawhe list choice opens door for Ngarewa-Packer
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer says with incumbent Adrian Rurawhe going on Labour’s party list, she’s confident of winning Te Tai Hauauru.
Mr Rurawhe announced this week he will follow the example of past Speakers in the MMP era and become a list-only candidate.
In the 2020 election he beat Ms Ngarewa-Packer by 1053 votes.
She says the odds have moved in her favour, particularly since she was able to get into parliament in the list.
“We’ve gone out and proved and been pono and tika to what we said we would do in Te Paati Maori. I think there needs to be a member who is going to come in and hold the big parties to account, no matter whether it’s red or blue, in the Opposition,” she says.
Ms Ngarewa-Packer says the Maori Party has been particularly effective in calling out racism by other parties.
Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson also announced today he is only standing on the list so he can concentrate on his role as Finance Minister.