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February 20, 2023
Harete Hipango to run in Te Tai Hauauru
Claudette Hauiti
Posted On February 20, 2023
National List MP Harete Hipango has withdrawn her nomination for Whanganui so she can contest Te Tai Hauauru in the October election.
Ms Hipango won in Whanganui in 2017 but lost to Labour’s Steph Lewis in 2020.
National has had an on and off relationship with the Maori seats, with former leaders Don Brash and John Key calling for their abolition and leaving the field.
Judith Collins reopened the door allowing candidates to contest the seats in 2020, although current leader Chris Luxon has said the seats don’t make sense.
Ms Hipango says she’s though long and hard about Te Tai Hauauru.
“So that’s a place and a space I’ve lived all my life in, I whakapapa to, my relationships are withand knowing that’s an area I can contribute not only for Maori but for the National Party in terms of lifting our presence and profile there,” she says.
Te Tai Hauauru is currently held by the Speaker, Adrian Rurawhe, who will be a list-only candidate.
Labour’s candidate is likely to be list MP Soraya Peke-Mason, with Debbie Ngarewa-Pacer contesting for the Maori Party.
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