Hawkins happy with Wall's victory

Louisa Wall. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Outgoing Manurewa MP George Hawkins says he "couldn't be more happy" with the Labour Party's new candidate for the safe seat, Louisa Wall.

Ms Wall was chosen after a selection meeting in the electorate that lasted more than eight hours yesterday.

Ms Wall, who had the support of the Service Workers, the Maritime and the Amalgamated Workers unions, beat the other front-runner, Jerome Mika, an official for the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union.

Mr Hawkins, who is to retire at next year's election, had threatened to force a byelection by standing down before the next election if Mr Mika won, as he was displeased at the way the EPMU had campaigned for Mr Mika.

But he told Radio New Zealand he would be "sticking around to help Louisa up to the election and probably beyond".

Mr Hawkins said the union had wanted Mr Mika to be given the candidacy against the will of the electorate.

"It was the way the EPMU went about saying they had the guy already selected ... I stood up for the locals so they could have their say," he said.

"He wasn't in the electorate. I thought local people should have someone who has worked in the electorate, is known to everyone in the organisation and I think we will do very well at the next election."

Ms Wall said while the Labour Party had its origins in the union movement, it was supported by a variety of groups, describing it as a "broad church".

"Labour was formed by the unions but we also have many different groups and organisations who are affiliates to the Labour Party."

She told Radio New Zealand it had been a fair fight and the voice of the party's members and the electorate had been heard.

Ms Wall has already briefly been an MP - she entered Parliament in March 2008 when list MP Ann Hartley retired however she did not return in the election later that year.

From Waitahanui near Taupo, Ms Wall has Ngati Tuwharetoa and Waikato heritage.

She has represented New Zealand at netball and rugby.

Other contenders at yesterday's selection were sitting list MP Ashraf Choudhary, local lawyers Ian Dunwoodie and Amelia Schaaf, human resources manager Shane Te Pou and company director Raj Thandi.

- NZHERALD STAFF and NZPA