Election 2011: State of Mana Party

Hone Harawira. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It has been a head-long rush into the election campaign for the Mana Party, which will officially launch its campaign in Otara, just five months after its leader Hone Harawira set up the party from scratch.

Since the initial hype of the party's forming, much of the work has gone on behind the scenes and as the election neared and other parties began to receive more attention, the media spotlight lessened on Mr Harawira.

As a result, it has yet to register in any significant and consistent way in the polls.

The party will be hoping the launch - and several looming debates for Mr Harawira on TVNZ, and on Maori TV - will galvanise interest again.

Mr Harawira has spent time travelling New Zealand to try to attract the Maori vote - most recently this week in the Waiariki electorate with Mana's candidate in that seat - and number two on its list - Annette Sykes.

However, his campaign will be affected by the battle in his seat of Te Tai Tokerau.

He has a significant reservoir of personal support in the seat and is likely to hold it, but polls indicating a possible three-way vote split between Harawira, Labour's candidate Kelvin Davis and Maori Party candidate Waihoroi Shortland restricts his ability to campaign nationwide.

The new party has minimal resources and, in large part, relies on its candidates and volunteers.

The party's strategist, Matt McCarten, has taken a more backseat role for the campaign proper, but the experience of Sue Bradford - a former Green MP - has been invaluable for the party.

Ms Bradford has taken a key role in policy development as well as turning her formidable energies to tackling National on social issues.

By necessity, the party's policy development has not been as thorough and widely consulted as is usually the case.

Nonetheless, in the short time it has had, it has come up with a broad - if sometimes eclectic - range of policies.

Some are existing Maori Party policy - such as Mana's "Hone Heke" financial transaction tax and its recent announcement of a retirement age of 60.

Its social policies also include raising benefit levels, extending paid parental leave to one year, and extending Working for Families' "in-work tax credits" to beneficiaries.

It's more unusual policies include a $1000 Christmas cash payment for those earning less than $30,000, banning pokie machines and providing free breakfast and lunch to children at decile 1-5 schools.

The party has concentrated its efforts and limited resources by standing candidates in low-income electorates.

Ms Bradford's profile should also help to gather up crucial Mana votes in Auckland.

Other high-profile candidates include John Minto in Manukau East and Annette Sykes in Waiariki, who is also placed second on the party's list.

The party's Te Tai Tonga candidate, Clinton Dearlove, impressed in his first televised debate on Native Affairs.

Others have been less impressive - Ratana minister Kereama Pene is unlikely to do much damage to Pita Sharples in Tamaki Makaurau and the Te Tai Hauauru candidate Frederick Timutimu struggled in a recent debate against Tariana Turia.

The record:

Te Tai Tokerau electorate results:

* 2011: Byelection: Hone Harawira (Mana Party) - 6065 votes (49 per cent), majority of 1117.

* 2008: Hone Harawira (Maori Party) - 12,019 votes (60 per cent), majority of 6308.

* 2005: Hone Harawira (Maori Party) - 9965 votes (51 per cent), majority of 3613.

In their own words: Hone Harawira

* On the trials and tribulations of setting up a new party: "Building a party from scratch is an enormous challenge but the calibre of people who have come on board and the support Mana is gaining are quite phenomenal. The Mana Party is the only party truly representing the have-nots and, as we get the message across, people are embracing us."

* On the Maori Party's claim Mana does not represent Maori: "This is a dumb debate I am not really interested in getting into. With all due respect to Pete and Tari, because I genuinely believe they have Maori interest at heart, the Mana Party is representing the Maori interest in a way the Maori Party has never been able to. That doesn't mean a need to be exclusively Maori but it's standing up for those who don't have a voice, because what's good for Maori is is good for all."

* On the Maori Party and National: "Seriously, what has the Maori Party been able to gain for Maori by sitting at John Key's table apart from Maori being allowed to fly our flag twice a year and two small halfway houses? Whanau Ora is not a goer because the others at the table won't back it."

* On main policy issues for Mana: "Beating poverty and providing for the poor who have been kicked in the guts is the issue. Mana's policies to create jobs, housing and free education will do this."

* Why vote for Mana: "Everyone, not just Maori, should give their party vote to Mana because we are the only party standing up for the poor. It's that simple. And of course our candidates in the Maori seats are tangata whenua who can be relied on."