May 10, 2023
Ikaroa Rāwhiti tough fight but holdable for Labour
The chair of Labour’s Māori campaign is confident the party can retain Ikaroa Rāwhiti – despite incumbent Meka Whaitiri switching to run for the Māori Party.
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson says he’s heard from some strong contenders keen to stand in the seat formerly held by the late Parekura Horomia.
“It is a Labour stronghold so she will still be a formidable candidate but I would expect us to win the seat because people have wept blood and tears in that seat. Parekura always valued it, he is sort of the icon of the seat. I expect us to win it back but that won’t be easy,” he says.
Mr Jackson says Labour will continue to have a high profile in Ikaroa Rāwhiti, with support for the people coming from East Coast MP Kiritapu Allan and Emergency Response Minister Kieran McAnulty, who took over Ms Whaitiri’s responsibility for overseeing the cyclone recovery in Hawke’s Bay.