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Labour Party List Member of Parliament Peeni Henare will be the party’s candidate in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, which will be held due to the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp.
Kemp, 50, died on June 26. She had taken a six-week leave of absence from Parliament last year after revealing she had kidney disease and had been on dialysis as part of her treatment.
Henare says he’s humbled and honoured to be selected to represent Labour in the by-election.
Party leader Chris Hipkins adds: “Peeni Henare is exactly the leader Tāmaki Makaurau needs with a deep understanding of the issues that matter.
“He has the experience and track record to deliver real solutions for working families, rangatahi, kaumātua and our most vulnerable whānau.”
Henare says everywhere he goes, communities are saying loud and clear that jobs, access to quality and affordable health services, affordable housing and relief from the rising cost of living must be a top priority.
“Tāmaki Makaurau is where I was born and is my home. I know the challenges that many whānau are facing.
“The cost of living is putting significant pressure on whānau just to put kai on the table.
“My focus is clear. To fight for real solutions so our people can flourish.
“This means better paying jobs, making sure that when whānau are sick, they don’t need to choose between kai and seeing the doctor and it means getting more whānau into warm dry and safe homes.”
Te Pāti Māori announced last week that former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara would be its candidate for the by-election.
The party said Kaipara’s deep whakapapa to Tāmaki Makaurau is grounded in her upbringing at Hoani Waititi Marae, where she was raised by her mother in a strong Māori environment.
She’s dedicated decades amplifying the stories of Māori communities, holding prime ministers to account and chairing nationally-televised Māori electorate debates.
“Oriini brings a lifetime of leadership and advocacy, both in media and in the community,” party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said.
“Her voice is exactly what Tāmaki needs to honour the memory of Takutai Moana and to ensure Māori voices are heard loud and clear in Parliament.
“She understands the deep connection between whakapapa and politics, and she’s not here to play games.”
The Green Party will not stand a candidate to contest the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, with co-leader Marama Davidson saying the decision reflects a combination of factors, including the responsible use of its resources.
The date of the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election has not yet been announced.
