Internet Mana pulls hundreds in Rotorua

Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira (left) with Waiariki candidate Annette Sykes and Internet party founder Kim Dotcom last night. Photo / Stephen Parker

Pharrell Williams, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley greeted locals as they danced their way into the Internet Mana party's Rotorua public meeting.

Hundreds turned out last night at the Distinction Hotel to see the party, made official last week, and to hear their policies.

Rotorua was the fifth stop of about 25 nationwide scheduled for the Internet Mana roadshow.

Watch: Internet Mana Party welcomed on to marae

Waiariki candidate Annette Sykes celebrated 'part two' of her official campaign launch at the event and said the upcoming election was not a "foregone conclusion".

"We are engaging with youth and encouraging them to exercise their power.

"The National party won't do this because one million New Zealanders did not vote in the last election, and these are them."

Ms Sykes said there was a large number of Rotorua under-30 residents not voting, and 33 per cent who were not enrolled.

"We want to put the power back into the hands that matter, the community."

Mana Movement national secretary Gerard Hehir said the roadshow was "a different way of communicating with the public".

"A lot of people who were unsure of the party have come along to the rallies and seen what the party is about and changed their minds."

Mr Hehir said it was about reaching out to young Kiwis who were not voting.

"They don't want to listen to boring speeches, they want to have fun, and that's what the roadshow is about, it's not too serious and gets people enthused about voting.

"Every single town we've visited we have packed out the halls because people want to ask questions and have their voices heard."

Mr Hehir said the Internet Mana party wanted to fix the disconnect with young voters.

"A lot of politics has just become party members going to events for photo opportunities. This rally is a bit more traditional and lets people see for themselves what the party can offer."

Among suggestions for engaging youth, the Internet Mana party said they would go as far as picking up youth from rural communities and taking them into town so there were no barriers to stop them voting.

Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira said their party would be the voice of the largest tribe in New Zealand, the poor and dispossessed.

"It is the voice of this tribe, the poor and dispossessed, that is never heard at the highest table, but we will make sure it is heard."

Actor Cliff Curtis was not at the event. Yesterday he said he did not endorse or support any political party, but respected all candidates who made the commitment to stand for office.

"While I respect my cousin Annette Sykes' commitment in engaging in the political process, I do not endorse or support any political party," he said.

"Sadly there has been a misunderstanding about my supposed attendance at the Mana launch in Rotorua today.

Mr Curtis said he would vote in the coming election based on the party and policies which best reflected the needs of his whanau and community.