"We need to take away the two seats for the price of one."
Mr Jackson, who has recently decided to stand for the Labour Party, applauded her decision and said this was a brave and strategic move by Ms Whaitiri to confront the Maori Party and take a stand.
"We want to support a Maori nation not the Maori Party. There is a narrative that the Maori Party are the only real Maoris but that is nonsense," Mr Jackson said.
Despite already holding the seat and receiving a recent promotion Ms Whaitiri said she was not going to take anything for granted.
"I am letting people know I am standing again and that I have a plan in place."
"I am not just going to represent the electorate but also work in the development end with a focus on enabling and enhancing primary industries."
Being brought up in a family of labourers the current Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP wants to unlock the potential of these growers, farmers and fisherman.
She said it was about identifying what development was out there with regards to things like market research and product excellence.
"We need to enhance the sector so not just look directly at the growers but also the marketers, scientists and infrastructure. We want to get things done in a more efficient way."
If successful in her campaign Ms Whaitiri has the goal of becoming Primary Industries minister.
She would be the first Maori and woman to fill the position.
In her campaign she said she also wanted to take something practical to the voters.
"I want this campaign to be educational as a lot of young people don't vote. I am going to get around and have discussions and seminars with people about the election process and how to enrol."
She said rather than moan about people not voting she was going to make a plan to change it.
Mr Jackson was also wanting to get more of the younger generation involved.
"We need to get people out there and supporting Meka. A bigger group of supporters gives her a bigger chance. To get her ministerial position she has to win comfortably."
Ms Whaitiri will be up against current Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox and Green Party Elizabeth Kerekere.