Mana | Movement of the People

 

Will Harawira party take on Flavell? | Dana Kinita | Rotorua Daily Post

A new Maori political party is set to bring more options for Rotorua voters in the general election – but there doesn’t look like there will be a contender for the Waiariki seat.

Independent MP Hone Harawira is expected this week to launch a new political party called Mana Party, which would provide voters on the general roll with another option.

However, it’s unlikely to compete with the Maori Party for the Waiariki seat.

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell said there was an agreement between Mr Harawira and the Maori Party that there would be no candidates standing against each other in the same electorate.

“If there is a candidate to stand [in the Waiariki area] then that would be backing out of the agreement which would be disappointing,” he said.

“[But] people are free to stand as they wish whether it be the Labour Party or any other candidate, it comes down to their ability to win. We won’t be changing a thing leading up to the election. We tend to shy away from personalities and are focused on celebrating the many things we have managed, as a party, to achieve.”

Te Arawa seem to have mixed views about the impacts of the new party but kaumatua Ken Kennedy is worried the Maori vote will split and cancel each other out.

Mr Kennedy said it was exciting to watch the political manoeuvres between the Maori and general parties leading up to the November election as former National Party leader Don Brash plans to take over the Act Party leadership.

“Hone is not afraid to voice his opinion and there is still a lot of disgruntled people that aren’t happy with the Maori Party over the new Foreshore and Seabed Bill, so a lot of people may jump waka to this new party.

“I’m just wary that the Maori vote may split and we may end up with no Maori in power.”

Rotorua lawyer Annette Sykes has been reported by Waatea News to be considering standing against Mr Flavell for the new party.

The Daily Post was yesterday unable to reach her for comment.

“Annette Sykes has the same views as Hone and they’re not activists, they’re just trying to keep the Government honest that when the Treaty [of Waitangi] was signed Maori should be recognised,” Mr Kennedy said.

Rotorua deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell said there would still be a lot of support for Mr Flavell even if there was an emergence of a candidate from the Mana Party.

“This is a democracy and the more the merrier I guess but I think Te Ururoa has done a very good job, he is very hard working and has a wide area to cover.”

Rotorua District Council Kaupapa Maori director Mauriora Kingi said there were Maori that stood for what Mr Harawira believed in.

“I think when Hone abandoned the Maori Party over issues, those were shared not just by him and his constituents but by people around the country so I believe there is support for him here.

“Te Ururoa has served his constituents well and has a lot of support but I think people have started losing faith in the Maori Party.”