Delamere closes in on Labour

By Richard Knight

Independent MP Tuariki Delamere is running a close second to Labour's Mita Ririnui in the new Maori seat of Waiariki.

A TVNZ Marae-Digipoll released yesterday shows Mr Ririnui ahead with just 27.5 per cent of the vote.

Mr Delamere, a New Zealand First defector who is standing for the party Te Tawharau, has 22.4 per cent support.

NZ First's Kahukore Baker is third with 14.4 per cent, Alliance-Mana Motuhake candidate Arapeta Tahana fourth on 13.9 and Mana Maori leader Tame Iti fifth on 11.6. There are 11 candidates.

Mr Ririnui warned of fragmentation among Maori voters.

"If Maori vote for a minor party, we could very well see the reinstatement of the National coalition, and we know what will happen to social services."

Mr Delamere appealed for party votes to go to a coalition of Maori parties to bring an independent Maori voice to Parliament.

In the last Marae poll, Mr Delamere was trailing Labour by a large margin.

Encouraged by the latest results, he has a warning for employers: "If I am sent back to Parliament, I will ensure every Government department and every organisation that has contracts with the Government are made to disclose their demographic make-up of employees on gender as well as race.

"The reality is there is widespread discrimination against hiring Maori."