Maori are getting the message that to get a government with Alliance and Mana Motuhake at the heart, they have to give the Alliance their party vote, Alliance deputy leader and Mana Motuhake leader Sandra Lee said today.

The party vote amongst Maori voters in the Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate shows the Alliance polling a strong second after Labour. Labour is at 57%, the Alliance at 20%.New Zealand First and National lag behind at 10% and 3% respectively. These figures are taken from the latest Marae DigiPoll.

'This poll is great news for our campaign. All the hard work we've put in on the ground is starting to pay off. 'Maori are getting the message, that if you want government for Maori by Maori, if you want jobs, fair settlement models, guaranteed support for Maori education, then you have to vote for the Alliance. And you have to give us your party vote.

'People are really starting to understand that to get the Maori party which has stood the test of time - Mana Motuhake into government, you have to tick Alliance.

'I have no doubt that we have the best line up of Maori candidates in any election so far, and that's starting to show in the polls.

'All our candidates, from Des Ratima in Ikaroa Rawhiti to Willie Jackson in Hauraki, Arapeta Tahana in Waiariki, Vern Winitana in Te Tai Tonga, Ella Henry in Te Tai Tokerau and Joe Puketapu in Te Tai Hauauru, all our candidates are campaigning for the party vote.

'Now they're starting to see the benefits of that work,' said Sandra Lee.

ends

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