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Labour & Maori party gain one MP each, National loses two

Author
Newstalk ZB / RNZ,
Publish Date
Sat, 7 Nov 2020, 11:43AM
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has made it into Parliament, bringing the party's MPs to two. Photo / file
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has made it into Parliament, bringing the party's MPs to two. Photo / file

Labour & Maori party gain one MP each, National loses two

Author
Newstalk ZB / RNZ,
Publish Date
Sat, 7 Nov 2020, 11:43AM

A new Maori Party MP says the Party has came through against all odds.

Co-leader Rawiri Waititi has held onto his Waiariki seat by a margin of 836 over Tāmati Coffey

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, who will enter as a list MP, says they had something other parties didn't.

 

 

The Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi and Labour's Tamati Coffey.

The Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi and Labour's Tamati Coffey. Photo / RNZ

 

The Māori Party picks up one more seat, which goes to co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer who comes in on the list.

"Today's success is first and foremost about Waiariki, and that absolute belief in mana motuhake, belief in their candidate."

Labour's Tamati Coffey has conceded to Waiariki electorate winner, Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi.

Waititi won the seat, and even doubled his election-night majority to 836.

'I will be an unapologetic champion for Māori' - Debbie Ngarewa Packer

The Māori Party says their waka is back on the water with Rawiri Waititi solidifying his Waiariki victory and with the party picking up an extra seat.

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer will enter Parliament, with the party picking up 1.2 percent of the vote.

Ngarewa-Packer, who ran for Te Tai Hauāuru, losing to Labour's Adrian Rurawhe by just over a thousand votes, says she is shocked and thrilled with the final results and is excited about starting her new job.

"I can't wait to get stuck into the mahi and for the opportunity to serve our people in Parliament - my commitment is that I will be an unapologetic champion for Māori.

"This has taken us by surprise. I was so focused on supporting Rawiri I wasn't even thinking of getting in myself," she says.

Waititi said he was absolutely stoked to have a mate join him in parliament.

"I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty alongside Debbie, getting to know the electorate better and more importantly understanding how I can advocate for their needs and their aspirations," he says.

He recognised the work of his main contender, previous Waiariki MP, Labour's Tamati Coffey.

"I want to acknowledge Tamati Coffey and his whānau for an outstanding campaign and for his service to Waiariki over the past three years," Waititi said.

Coffey has conceded saying he respects the outcome.

"Rawiri ran a robust campaign for the Waiariki. I want to mihi to my supporters and those who gave Labour a clear majority in terms of the party vote," Coffey said.

He said he would continue to be a tireless voice for Māori.

"As a servant of the people, I look forward to continuing my mahi around housing, growing the role local Māori development plays in driving our economic recovery, and working alongside Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to increase Māori representation in the communities of the Waiariki," Coffey said.

Waititi said he would be making contact with party leaders immediately to discuss potential working relationships centred on the advancement of Māori.

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