The Far North looks set to get a new Maori MP with latest poll results giving Hone Harawira a significant lead.
The Maori Party candidate has 52 percent of the electorate vote in Te Tai Tokerau in a Marae DigiPoll, which leaves Labour incumbent Dover Samuels with 25.5 percent support.
Mr Harawira believes it is because Maori feel betrayed by both Labour and Mr Samuel's backing of the foreshore and seabed legislation. He says Mr Samuels had opportunities to reject the bill and consult his people, and his refusal to budge is now coming back to bite him. He claims Te Tai Tokerau is looking for a new face to represent the electorate and trusts the brand behind the Maori Party.
The poll shows the Maori Party is also the party vote favourite on 41 percent. The sample of 400 voters has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.
In other results, Labour MP John Tamihere is not convinced he is lagging in the Tamaki Makaurau electorate as much as the poll suggests.
Mr Tamihere is on 35 percent support , down four points. Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples is on 56 percent, up 15 points since July.
Mr Tamihere says the figures do not reflect the feeling he has been getting on the ground. He says so far, his workers have made more than 3,000 calls which show he is still riding high.
The poll shows Labour's still the party vote favourite in Tamaki Makaurau on 45.6 per cent.
- NEWSTALK ZB
