New Maori Party co-leaders

Stuff reports:

The Māori Party has announced John Tamihere and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer as its new co-leaders as it seeks to improve its support after failing to make it into Parliament in 2017.

The pair are both set to stand in the next election and Stuff understands their leadership bid was uncontested.

Tamihere was confirmed as the Māori Party’s candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau at an event on March 7, challenging Labour MP Peeni Henare who currently holds the seat.

Ngarewa-Packer will stand in Te Tai Hauāuru, which is held by Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe. Under the party’s constitution it has to choose two co-leaders – one woman and one man.

Tamihere is well known. Ngarewa-Packer is the CEO of Taranaki-based Ngati Ruanui. She has an MBA and has studied at Stanford. She is a former Deputy Mayor of South Taranaki and has been working since she was a solo mum at age 19. She started as a hospital cleaner and now has an MBA and is a very successful CEO – a real role model.