Maori Party launches search for Tamaki Makaurau candidate

The search will begin next week for a candidate to stand for the Maori Party in the Tamaki Makaurau electorate.

Nominations for the candidacy open on Monday [March 10] and will result in electing a successor to the outgoing MP Hon Dr Pita Sharples who has held the seat since 2005.

“We’re spreading the net far and wide because we want to capture as many switched on Maori people as possible who are passionate about families and communities in this electorate and who are committed to kaupapa Maori,” said George Ngatai, the co-chair of the Maori Party’s Tamaki Makaurau electorate committee.

“It’s exciting to hear that a few people have already signaled their interest to be the candidate but we will not be able to confirm all the names of those who’ve put their hands up until nominations close the last day of this month [March 31].”

To capture as much interest throughout the electorate – which includes the western beaches of Waitakere, all of West Auckland south of Te Atatu, the entire Auckland Isthmus and the South Auckland suburbs of Mangere, Otara, Pakuranga and Manurewa – the party will be holding four meetings - three to allow party members to get to know the nominees and a final meeting where party members will be able to cast their vote.

“We want our party members to get a really good feel for all the nominees because it will be them who will determine the successful candidate.”

People wanting to vote in the selection process must be registered with the party on March 10, be 18 years of age or older and living in the electorate.

Mr Ngatai said the successful candidate will be announced on May 4.

For any person to be eligible as a nominee for the Maori Party for Tamaki Makaurau they must be a financial member of the party on the date at the opening of nominations, be eligible to become a Member of Parliament in accordance with the Electoral Act and have the support in writing from 50 financial members who were members on the date at the opening of nominations.

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