Equity and race at the heart of Heather Te Au-Skipworth’s tilt at Tukituki seat

Heather Te-Au Skipworth stepped aside to allow Meka Whaitiri to run for Ikaroa-Rawhiti. Now Te-Au Skipworth is standing in the Tukituki general seat, Photo / NZME

Heather Te Au-Skipworth has been confirmed as Te Pāti Māori‘s candidate for Tukituki on Friday, having previously won the party’s nomination for Ikaroa-Rawhiti.

But with her cousin, Meka Whaitiri, now standing for Te Pāti Māori in that seat, Te Au-Skipworth will join the race for Tukituki.

Te Au-Skipworth is a candidate of convictions and those will follow her no matter the electorate, she said.

Her platform is a simple one: “That we get equity as Māori and that racism is eradicated,” Te Au-Skipworth told Hawke’s Bay Today.

“And it’s the pillar of why our people are in the state that many of them are.”

Well known as the founder of the IronMāori triathlon, Te Au-Skipworth is adamant her approach to empowering people can appeal across the board.

“I think it’s all in the way that you approach that. I’ve proven that with IronMāori,” said Te Au-Skipworth.

“IronMāori was deemed racist, that it was just for Māori and I’ve proven that I was able to look after all races and that it’s inclusive so, no, I don’t feel that it’s hard.

“When the event’s called a racist event, it’s the non-Māori that often come to my defence.

“We all want the same thing and that’s for people to live well, not unwell. And there’s many contexts to what I’ve just said.”

Anna Lorck is in her first term as Tukituki MP.

Labour’s Anna Lorck is the incumbent Tukituki MP and was expected to face stiff competition from National Party candidate Catherine Wedd in October’s general election.

Te Au-Skipworth’s emergence adds an intriguing element to the mix.

“There are a lot of aspiring politicians out there and, once they get in, they conform to the system and I won’t,” Te Au-Skipworth said.

“I’ve got a different approach. I embrace all people, but equity is at the top of mind for me.

“I know it’s going to be a tough gig. I’m a realist, but then a lot of people told me Māori would never take up triathlon.”

Last year’s IronMāori attracted 3500 competitors to Hawke’s Bay from across the country, which Te Au-Skipworth said was evidence it’s not some niche event.

“It’s never just about a swim, bike and run. It’s about a platform where people can feel embraced and that’s what I’m all about in Tukituki and in Aotearoa and I’ve proved I can do that.”