Hekia Parata supporting women candidates for National

Harete Hipango, left, and Hekia Parata in Whanganui on Tuesday. Photo / Bevan Conley

Former government minister Hekia Parata was in Whanganui on Tuesday as part of a nationwide tour supporting female candidates standing for the National Party.

Mrs Parata was in Whanganui to support her longtime friend Harete Hipango, who is National's candidate for the Whanganui electorate at the general election on September 23.

Mrs Parata, who has been a list MP for nearly a decade, announced last year that she wouldn't seek re-election. Instead she's spending her energies helping out other women candidates. After her visit to Whanganui, Mrs Parata heads to Palmerston North to support Adrienne Pierce, who is standing for National in that electorate.

"The National Party has a number of high-calibre women candidates - and I'd like to see them all get in," Mrs Parata said.

She said 10 of National's MPs were not standing for re-election this year, giving the party the chance to "refresh".

"I never wanted to be a career politician. I wanted to be the minister of education; I've done that, so now it's time to make way for new blood.

"Having candidates like Harete stepping forward is evidence of the strength and depth of the National Party," Mrs Parata said.

During her time in Whanganui, Mrs Parata held a meeting at the Whanganui RSA, visited Kowhainui retirement village and spoke at a breakfast meeting with the Maori Business Network.

Mrs Hipango said she appreciated Mrs Parata's support.

"It's good of her to make the time to come here. She's been a mentor for many of us Māori women," she said.