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June 22, 2023
Time out for Skipworth after political bruising
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On June 22, 2023
Download AudioFormer Māori Party candidate Heather Te Au Skipworth says she needs time to pause and reflect after a bruising encounter with politics.
The IronMaori founder was picked to contest Ikaroa Rawhiti but stepped aside to allow incumbent Meka Whaitiri to seek reelection under the Maori Party banner.
She then agreed to run in Tukituki, but pulled out last week.
She says getting in the political arena is part of being Maori, but it’s also a struggle.
“I’m always optimistic and I’m empathetic and I feel the political arena at the moment is quite vicious. It doesn’t inspire many, if any, and the people that need inspiring are our rangatahi but we need to ensure the space is safe for them to enter,” she says.
Ms Skipworth says she turns 50 tomorrow, so she’s heading for Waikaremoana to take a break and get ready to launch her new consultancy, as well as consider the future of the IronMaori triathlon series.
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