It has become clear over the last couple of weeks that only Kelvin Davis can beat Hone Harawira. The Maori Party want him out of parliament even more than we do. That might explain their choice of a low profile candidate yesterday. As the Herald said :-
…. old party launched Solomon Tipene’s bid to win the Te Tai Tokerau byelection.
The great-grandfather was the surprise pick for the Maori Party, which also interviewed lawyer Mere Mangu and actor Waihoroi Shortland, tipped by many in the north as the frontrunner.
the Hone shotgun scenario on lets-not.co.nz is creating lots of interest including some criticism.
And since you are so concerned about all party’s running strong campaigns, i take it Labour has already conceded in my home electorate of Taranaki-King country by selecting Rick Barker as the candidate?
Come Nov 26, the Mp will be conceding a lot more than just Te Tai Tokerau.
Let’s face it what great grandfather would even remotely want to enter politics. I know he’s only 64 – but an electorate the size of Te Tai Tokerau – got to be young and fit for that!
And one of the questions is – what is great grandfather getting out of it?
There’s nothing wrong with Rick!
@RJS131 – due to the locality of said Taranaki-King Country I reckon if the National Party put up Shaun the Sheep with a blue ribbon attached he would romp in.
Maori Party have run up the white flag. Kelvin’s got a good shot at this if Labour gets its strategy right for a two-phase campaign (by-election and election), bit like getting two shots at the Ranfurly Shield in the same season. Be interesting to see how Kelvin’s polling, while at the same time please give Hone as much media as possible, like Paul Quinn, just wind up the key and let them loose.