Labour Party leader David Cunliffe was in Tauranga this morning, joining New Zealand First and Conservative Party leaders in visits to the city today.
However, Labour's David Cunliffe was in town to farewell former MP Dave Hereora who died yesterday. Mr Hereora's tangi was being held at Hairini.
Mr Hereora, 58, died after a short illness. He was a list MP from 2002 to 2008 and chaired the Maori Affairs Committee in his second term. He was also Labour's Senior Vice President Maori.
Mr Cunliffe said Mr Hereora was always a constructive and collegial member of the Labour team.
"Dave dedicated his life to the fight for low income workers. Dave will be remembered by his colleagues as a truly principled and kind man," Mr Cunliffe said.
"Our thoughts are with his wife, tamariki, mokopuna and extended whanau at this sad time."
