Separate Rotorua events: Māori Party to hold meet-the-candidates function and Todd McClay to launch campaign

The Māori Party is having a Meet-the-Candidates function at the Third Place Cafe in Rotorua tomorrow. Photo / Supplied

The Māori Party is celebrating World Indigenous Day the Māori way, surrounded by friends and whānau at a meet-the-candidates function at the Third Place Cafe in Rotorua tomorrow.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay is also holding his campaign launch at Puketawhero Pak tomorrow.

To mark World Indigenous Day, the Māori Party wanted to remind Aotearoa of its responsibilities under the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).

Māori Party Co-Leader John Tamihere said it seemed fitting for the Māori Party to celebrate the day after calling out Television New Zealand for racism this week following a decision from the state-owned broadcaster to exclude the Māori Party leadership from all upcoming political debates to be broadcast on their channels.

"The Māori Party has always been an indigenous movement committed to the rights and interests of indigenous people globally."

Taking centre stage at the Meet-the-Candidates event will be political artist Chanz Mikaere who will be launching a special project that she has been working on to support the Māori Party.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / File

Mikaere said the project involved a series of artwork that centred on a superhero theme and would be a complete surprise to the candidates.

"It has been a privilege to contribute to the creation of the aspirational content for the Māori Party. The images reflect the candidates in ways that are designed to have broad appeal. Superhero tropes allow us the scope to see the best in ourselves," Mikaere said.

The Māori Party Meet the Candidates function is at 3pm at Third Place Cafe in Rotorua and all are welcome to attend.

Meanwhile, National MP Todd McClay's campaign launch is at the skatepark and playground at Puketawhero Park on Te Ngae Rd from 11am.

The family friendly event will have a bouncy castle and cupcakes along side the park equipment.