Claudette Hauiti
Lloyd Burr at 3News reports:
The National Party has recruited a lesbian, Maori, former-Grassroots Labour supporter who is expected to take a top list spot and seat in Parliament.
Claudette Hauiti, who is in a civil union and raising a child with her partner, admits she “ticks all the boxes” on National’s representation scale.
Ms Hauiti says “I’m not made up of one particular thing, I’m made up of many things….my iwitanga…I’m also an urban Maori, I’m also a business woman…I’m also a mother and all those things help build a very strong character for the National Party”.
When asked about her past affiliations with Labour, she said it was for research purposes rather than personal reasons.
“I am in my previous life, a television programme producer…and I signed up to a lot of groups, including Grassroots Labour and I also signed up to the Socialist Union.
“It’s part and parcel of good research. A good researcher is everywhere and if they want to get information, they will be everywhere.”
A lot of people used to be Labour. One National Cabinet Minister in fact stood against Phil Goff for Labour’s nomination for Mt Roskill!