Canons Creek Homeboy, Api Malu, will fly the flag for Mauri Pacific in the Mana electorate at this year's election.

Leader Tau Henare said he was thrilled Api had joined the team and that he was confident a local lad could take the seat.

Apineru Malu is Samoan-born, and is linked to two villages, Aleisa on his Mum’s side and Lalomalava on his Dad’s.

Mr Henare said Api Malu would become the first Porirua MP who was born and raised in the area. “All previous Labour Party candidates and MP’s were imports brought in by the party to stand in a safe seat. Henry May was from the Hutt Valley, Gerald Wall was from Marlborough and Graham Kelly is from Wellington Central.

“Api Malu is a local boy, in fact he still lives in Cannons Creek. The people from the Mana electorate deserve to be represented by someone who knows from the heart what their issues are.

"Api has the talent, focus and heart to be the best representative he can be for Pacific Island people in the Mana electorate. The people of the Mana electorate need action and a champion. Api is that champion.

"He's a homeboy. He knows the area intimately. He knows the people and the characters and best of all, they know him," said Mr Henare.

ENDS

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