Raukawa-Tait calls for Christian Heritage revamp

The Christian Heritage Party should reconsider its existence and leadership, says high-profile candidate Merepeka Raukawa-Tait.

Last night she did not rule out a bid to lead the party herself, but said it was a "bit rich" to ask someone who had been involved with the party for less than 12 months to take on such a role.

Her call for a review comes in the wake of the party's failure to get an MP into Parliament and a heavily critical report on its election campaign.

The report, written by Australian Adam Owens, a party worker, said leader Graham Capill ran a botched campaign.

Mr Capill yesterday dismissed the report as the work of a disgruntled volunteer who had wanted to be paid for his work.

"Almost every line is false and I have put it in the hands of my lawyer," said Mr Capill.

Ms Raukawa-Tait said she had not seen the report, but she understood Mr Owens had offered "a debrief".

No matter what was in the report, it was the right time for every party to evaluate their performance, she said.

"The executive [of the party] thinks it is timely as well because they are meeting on Saturday ... and actually reviewing the party's performance and obviously saying how disappointed [they are] we didn't make it through."

The former head of Women's Refuge said she wanted to stay a member, because in her view the party had a future, though not everyone might agree.

"That's the question that has to be asked. The party has been around 13 years and has contested a number of general elections and not been successful.

"This year in particular the party vote was not pleasing at all."

Christian Heritage received less than 2 per cent of the party vote.

The leadership was something the membership would determine, said Ms Raukawa-Tait.

When asked if she would consider a bid to be leader, she replied: "It is a bit rich to ask someone ... who has only been in the party less than 12 months 'would you be interested?'

"We don't know who else might be interested, if in fact the party leadership is going to be changed and that has yet to be determined."

Both she and Mr Capill had been talking about their futures and he was "disappointed" with the election result, she said.

The report by Mr Owens had angered and concerned him, Ms Raukawa-Tait said.

The Wairarapa Times-Age said the report criticised Mr Capill's role and the party structure. It also called for an inquiry into the party's finances.

The paper said Mr Owen had worked for the Australian Government for 12 years as a political adviser and was recruited by Mr Capill to advise him on the conduct of the party's campaign. Both claims are denied by Mr Capill.

"He had no position [in the party] ... he was never appointed to any position.

"He was a voluntary helper who then tried to get $120 a day off us and he became disgruntled when we didn't pay up," Mr Capill said.

The report said that some party supporters said they would not continue to support the party under the present leadership.

"With a new party leader, a streamlining of the party structure and a revamp of head office the Christian Heritage Party is more than capable of achieving electoral success in the future," it said.

Mr Owens accused Mr Capill of botching advertising through a misunderstanding of the Broadcasting Act and electoral funding laws.

His report said the television campaign was "amateurish" and most of the campaign was badly organised, funded and conceived.

Mr Capill said he would sue Mr Owens and those who published the report.

The party's campaign manager, David Elliott - who is based in Australia - did not return calls from NZPA yesterday.

- NZPA

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