Masterton office on Whaitiri's wish list

BASE: Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri is looking at Masterton for an electoral branch office.PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri wants to open a Labour electorate branch office in Masterton before the end of the year.

Ms Whaitiri, a former Ngati Kahungunu iwi chief executive, holds the Maori electorate for Labour after successfully contesting it in a byelection in 2013 and boosting her majority in the 2014 general election.

Her electorate runs from the top of East Cape to Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier and through Wairarapa and part of Hutt City. She is based in Hastings.

Ms Whaitiri has been taking advantage of a parliamentary recess to get around her electorate, including calling into the Times-Age.

"I'm seriously looking at opening an office, putting a staff member here," she said. "Masterton's been in the back of my mind.

"I want to effectively service this part of the electorate - and not just those on the Maori roll.

"Issues should be irrespective of race."

If people wanted to do things that aligned with the values of the country and Wairarapa, then she would be "right alongside them".

Her travels during the recess had been mainly to let people know she was accessible, and catch up on issues.

In such a vast electorate, stretching some 700km, she advised people to contact her well in advance for events or concerns, so she could organise leave.

While in Wairarapa she wanted to "meet with both sides" of the Wairarapa water use project.

She was not favourable to the idea of Wairarapa being part of a super-city, and liked the idea of a unitary authority.

"Geographically, Wellington is not anything like Wairarapa.

"It's refreshing driving over here [from Wellington] - you feel you are almost home."

Ms Whaitiri said she was enjoying working with her "colleague", Marama Fox, list MP for the Maori Party. Ms Fox unsuccessfully contested the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat last year, but made it to Parliament on the list.

"She's a great woman, does great work in the House. She's a great politician.

"I want to acknowledge her commitment. Wairarapa is in her heart. Masterton should be proud that this is her home."