It was a day of political intrigue and shifting allegiances in Northland yesterday, with Mana Party leader Hone Harawira saying he was fighting for his political life and NZ First's Winston Peters using a lightning tour of the Far North to throw his weight behind Labour's Te Tai Tokerau candidate Kelvin Davis.
Meanwhile, Maori Party candidate the Rev Te Hira Paenga, who is also contesting the crucial Te Tai Tokerau seat, quashed suggestions he was also going to endorse Mr Davis to stop Kim Dotcom's Internet Party getting into Parliament on the back of Mr Harawira's seat - but then seemed to suggest voters should do exactly that.
Mr Paenga said the people of Te Tai Tokerau wanted "a place at the table" giving them access to the resources they needed to grow their stagnant economy, so he had no intention of stepping aside. Then he continued, apparently having it both ways: "There is a need to strategically vote in the electorate, in order to ensure that we remove the blot on our democracy, but let me state right now, clearly and for the record, the Reverend is keeping the faith."
Mr Peters, who was basking in polls suggesting his party could get as many as nine seats, shook hands and kissed cheeks from Kaitaia to Kawakawa yesterday. The NZ First leader's meeting with Mr Davis on the campaign trail in Paihia was no coincidence. Mr Davis was "number one candidate for Te Tai Tokerau ... the man to vote for", Mr Peters said.
Also making no secret of his new allegiance was one-time Labour Minister Dover Samuels, who was accompanying Mr Peters on the campaign trail. He said Labour had abandoned its traditional values so his party vote would go to NZ First, but he was casting his electorate vote for Mr Davis to keep Kim Dotcom's party out. Te Tai Tokerau voters would "not be sucked in" by the Internet-Mana marriage, he said.
