"Ever since the Maori Party started. I wanted to get into politics, about 10 years ago. My uncle had the seat and I didn't want to run up against him.
"I had my family say 'nah boy you'll get wasted. We'll all vote for your uncle.' Which is fair enough because I was going to vote for him too. Whether I ran for it or not," Mr Nikora said.
"As soon as uncle passed away and out of respect for him, Hone and them waited for a while before they hit me up.
"They knew the relationship I had with Parekura Horomia. I didn't want people hitting me up to run for them straight away and so they waited for a little while."
Hawke's Bay Today caught up with the Ngati Porou descendant at his Hastings campaign office on Heretaunga St. The office is decorated with Mana campaign posters. The receptionist frantically works away on her computer, beside her a stereo blasts reggae music.
Mr Nikora is sitting on one of two couches in reception. Working on his iPad preparing for the Hawke's Bay Today Ikaroa Rawhiti meet the candidates debate.
In the next room, a group of five Mana volunteers get pamphlets and fliers ready for the public.
The campaign has been a busy one. Days doing door-knocks and public gatherings such as Feed the Children barbecues at parks around the region said Mana Maraenui/Ahuriri chairman Owen Hazel.
"I joined Mana because of the movement to change our government and to improve the well-being of our people especially our rangatahi (young people)."
Mr Hazel describes the Mana candidate as a "bloody character", who is needed in politics.
"He's one of a kind. I'd like him in Parliament. Politics is so serious.
"It's time for Mr Nikora to get his message out on the street."
One of the messages is his leader Hone Harawira's Feed the Kids Bill as more than 285,000 children nationally live in poverty.
Part of his strategy of getting the message out is through music. Mr Nikora's guitar is always within reach. He simply goes out on the street and starts to play.
His voice resonates through the busy street, making people take notice. Using popular reggae beats he sings about the "Mana movement" and what those policies are. It's a clever tactic and it works as people pass in their cars toot or pedestrians come up to shake his hand. Is it an advantage?
"I guess it's a huge advantage ... I've been working crowds since I was 3-years-old, watching my dad, a preacher man,and myself professionally as an entertainer.
"I'd like to say it's an unfair advantage. But I need as much advantage as I can get."
For Napier kaumatua Te Kareti Reihana, the music has pulled him away from whatever he was doing, to dance and do a pukana at people. It's hilarious.
The 66-year-old says "it's time for a change" and the Mana movement is what's needed.
One of those changes for Mr Nikora is getting rid of poverty.
"The fruits of poverty is crime. You've got family violence, you've got metal health issues, you've got cold houses, you've got hungry children. Once we get rid of poverty we make the sunshine so much brighter for a whole lot more people."
So is his campaign working? Possibly, a Maori TV poll sees him second behind incumbent Labour MP Meka Whaitiri.
"We've been walking the yards and doing everything that needs to be done ... So we've been leading by example and I think that's where the sister [Mrs Waitiri] has lacked. She's the sitting MP but it's better to be walking than sitting I think."
Mr Nikora said he wouldn't be surprised if he was now level pegging with Mrs Whaitiri.
