Maori Party list candidates in the Bay of Plenty say they're standing to support incumbent Waiariki MP and party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.
Eraia Kiel from Rotorua, Christine Winitana from Taupo and Verna Ohia-Gate of Tauranga will be named on the party list when it is released next week.
Mrs Ohia-Gate and Mrs Winitana are also standing in their general electorates.
Passionate about Maori performing arts and tikanga Maori, Mr Kiel recently received a Rotorua Community Leadership award for outstanding services to performing arts. He has also travelled the world promoting Rotorua and New Zealand for the New Zealand Tourism Board. "I'm supporting Te Ururoa and the Maori Party because Te Ururoa inspires me. I have not been able to find the same leadership qualities in any other person that holds the same responsibilities as Te Ururoa," Mr Kiel said.
Mrs Winitana from Ngati Tuwharetoa has been a teacher for more than 40 years and has been a strong supporter of Maori performing arts, language, tikanga and Maori values. She said she believed the Maori Party had a lot to offer New Zealand and the people of Taupo. Mrs Ohia-Gate looks after her 94-year-old father Monty Ohia and 88-year-old mother Tirikawa Ohia (nee Farrell). She belongs to three iwi of Tauranga and whakapapa to Te Arawa through her mother. She is also a trustee on whanau and community trusts.
