Eyes remain on Te Tai Tokerau

Kelvin Davis. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The Maori Party says it will stand again for Te Tai Tokerau in the general election even if it is thrashed in the byelection on Saturday week.

However, the party's byelection candidate, Solomon Tipene, may not be selected to contest the general election.

The party's president, Pem Bird, said it would continue to campaign in the byelection, despite suggestions from some commentators it should pull out because of poor polling.

It would also stand again in Te Tai Tokerau, despite Mana Party leader Hone Harawira saying Mana had not yet decided whether to retaliate by standing against the Maori Party in other seats.

Mr Tipene said this week that he expected to stand again in November, giving him more time to raise his profile.

However, Mr Bird said a new selection process would be held - potentially re-opening the door to others who sought the byelection candidacy, such as Waihoroi Shortland and Mere Mangu. He denied it was a lack of faith in Mr Solomon, saying the party's constitution required it.

"We will stand in Te Tai Tokerau. Will it be Solomon? That's not for me to say.

"If we lose, we will debrief to look at where we lost. To carry one [candidate] over to the next election won't happen automatically.

"It could well be him, but the electorate has to take charge of that process."

He also denied Mr Harawira's claim that the Maori Party stood despite knowing it would lose to try to take enough of the vote so the seat would go to Mr Davis.

CANDIDATES

* Kelvin - Davis Labour Party
* Hone Harawira - Mana party
* Solomon Tipene - Maori Party
* Maki Herbert - Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party
* Kelvyn Alp - OURNZ Party

Date: Saturday 25th June