Whaitiri wins Labour selection

Vernon Small at Stuff reports:

Iwi chief executive Meka Whaitiri will be Labour’s candidate in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election on June 29.

She beat five other challengers for the nomination yesterday, including high-profile broadcaster Shane Taurima.

It will be interesting to see what Taurimia now does. I presume he won’t go back to being an interviewer for Q+A!

Labour is tipped by most commentators to hold the seat in the by-election sparked by the death of Parekura Horomia. He held the seat for 14 years and won in 2011 with a majority of 6541.

Ms Whaitiri was seen by many as his chosen successor. She will be up against Na Raihania from the Maori Party, who came second to Mr Horomia in 2011, Te Hamua Nikora from the Mana Party and the Greens’ Marama Davidson.

It would be a very big surprise for her not to hold the seat.

She was head girl at Karamu High School and played both netball and softball at a national level. Her first job was at the local freezing works.

She went on to complete a masters degree in education from Victoria University, Mr Shearer said.

“Meka has a strong Maori governance background and knowledge of how government and Parliament works.”

She was also a senior adviser to the minister of Maori Affairs and for four years has been chief executive of Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.

She appears to have a good background, and should make a good MP. She could end up Maori Affairs Minister if Labour win the next election.