Maori Party congratulates Labour Party candidate

The Maori Party congratulates Labour Party candidate Meka Whaitiri tonight for her win in the Ikaroa Rawhiti by-election and looks forward to welcoming her into Parliament.
 
“We will reflect on the result tonight over the next few weeks but we will be contesting the Ikaroa Rawhiti seat again in the 2014,” says Maori Party Co-leader, Dr Pita Sharples.
 
 “Na was an outstanding candidate.   He maintained his share of the vote that he gained in 2011 (21%) and while we are disappointed, we are proud of the way he ran his campaign. He was honest, committed and he focused on the issues that are important to the people of Ikaroa Rawhiti.”
 
“Without a doubt we were up against a strong party brand in Labour with their huge machinery and infrastructure as well as the television celebrity status of Te Hamua Nikora  - both these factors clearly had an influence on tonight’s result.”
 
“While the Maori Party did not win the by-election we would like to assure the people of  Ikaroa Rawhiti we will continue to work for them regardless.”
 
"If there is one thing that really stood out from this election was that less than a third of those enrolled on the Maori Roll turned up to vote.   It reminds us that there is still much work to be done to make what we do in parliament relevant and meaningful for all of the people throughout this rohe.”
 
The Maori Party was delighted with the increased momentum and vitality generated in this by-election by some outstanding candidates and wants to mihi to everyone who put their hand up, to work on behalf of the people of Ikaroa Rawhiti.

ENDS

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