Party unites: Hone Harawira backs Aperahama Edwards for Te Pāti Māori in the north
Prominent former Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira has decided not to contest the seat for Te Pāti Māori, instead endorsing Aperahama Edwards.
There has been intense focus on the northernmost Māori seat since current MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi announced she would split from Te Pāti Māori and form her own party to contest this year’s election.
She described her Te Tai Tokerau Party as a new political movement built from the ground up.
After the announcement, Harawira helped consolidate Te Pāti Māori in the north, including helping to organise hui across Te Tai Tokerau.
The activist, who has represented Te Tai Tokerau for both the Māori Party and his own Mana Party, was widely tipped to stand for the seat and admitted he was mulling it over.
But Harawira announced on social media over the weekend he had decided not to stand, instead endorsing Edwards for Te Pāti Māori.
The 71-year-old said he made the decision after reflecting with his wife, Far North District Councillor Hilda Halkyard-Harawira, plus close friends and key people, including Edwards.
He said that Kapa-Kingi’s decision to leave Te Pāti Māori was sad but not unexpected, and Te Pāti Māori was keen to rebuild its branches across the area.
When approached by the Northern Advocate for further comment on Te Tai Tokerau and the area’s future, he indicated questions should be put to Edwards.
Edwards is the chairman of Ngātiwai and a Māori rights activist, pushing for iwi and hapū development and te reo Māori revitalisation.
His work in ocean conservation includes protesting against government foreshore and seabed rules, and introducing a rāhui at Matapouri’s Mermaid Pools. He also helped lead Whangārei protests against Act’s Treaty Principles Bill.
If his candidacy for Te Tai Tokerau was accepted by Te Pāti Māori, he will stand against another Ngātiwai leader, former chief executive Hūhana Lyndon, who is a Green Party MP and will contest the seat for the Greens.
Lyndon said she had been working hard throughout the area and her party listened deeply to Māori concerns, such as on sand mining and the need for more public housing.
The seat will also be contested by Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime, who formerly held the Northland seat but was moving to the Māori seat after the retirement of Labour’s Kelvin Davis.
She thought the cost of living and lack of jobs would be key issues for the area this election.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.