KEY POINTS:
Derek Fox's ex-partner, who stood unsuccessfully against him for the Maori Party's ticket to represent Ikaroa-Rawhiti, has come out in support of him in the countdown to the election.
Yesterday, Atareta Poananga told the Weekend Herald she is supporting Mr Fox now because of post-election "policy initiatives" the party has promised she will be involved with.
She would not say what those initiatives were, but in a statement Maori Party president Whatarangi Winiata said the party was looking forward to Ms Poananga advancing policy particularly around constitutional arrangements.
It brings to an end an embarrassing party stoush where Ms Poananga said she was considering legal action for process inconsistencies during the nomination process.
Five stood for the right to compete against Labour's minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia but in July party co-leader Pita Sharples said Ms Poananga's formal complaint was a waste of time because she did not finish second to Mr Fox.
Ms Poananga also asserted on radio that their relationship ended because of the pair's battle for the nomination.
But that claim came under scrutiny as Mr Fox is known to be in a long-term relationship with another woman.
In a statement Ms Poananga spoke of Mr Fox's achievements during his journalism career and as a former mayor of Wairoa.
"[He] has been a pioneer on many fronts for our people; this has taken a lot of courage.
"Derek has spoken up for Maori who do not have a voice in the political system and will be a strong advocate for Maori."
While she did not mention scrutiny which occurred this year after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced, she did allude to tough times.
"I've known him for 13 years and his whanau comes first. Derek has had some hard times in the media spotlight, we all make mistakes and we learn from them."
She ended the statement by asking "whanau and my supporters" to vote for Mr Fox.
There were no ill feelings between the pair, and Ms Poananga said she had been doing canvassing work in Gisborne for the campaign.
