Northland Labour list MP Kelvin Davis will step into the Te Tai Tokerau byelection ring.
Mr Davis said yesterday that he was excited about the prospect of taking on Hone Harawira's new Mana Party and the candidate which the Maori Party intends to field to replace its runaway incumbent MP.
"This is an opportunity for Maoridom to pursue a bright future, instead of looking over shoulders at a gloomy past," said Mr Davis, who was a school principal and considers education a key to improving Maori prospects.
He plans to start campaigning as soon as Mr Harawira announces his resignation from Parliament, which will force the byelection.
The resignation has been stalled since Mr Harawira launched the Mana Party on April 30. His latest indication is that he could resign tomorrow, but the change in his parliamentary position has been keeping him busy and the resignation - which must be made before May 26 to ensure a byelection - might have to wait until next week.
The Labour Party council decided on Monday night that Mr Davis should contest the poll.
National Party board member Alastair Bell, of Auckland, said yesterday his party would wait to see if Mr Harawira resigned before considering contesting any byelection.
Three people have so far been suggested as possible Maori Party candidates for the byelection - Ngawha lawyer Mere Mangu, Ngati Whatua chair Naida Glavish and Te Runanga o Ngati Hine chairman Pita Tipene.
Ms Mangu stood as an independent in the Te Tai Tokerau election in 2005, when she took third place with 1250 votes behind Dover Samuels (6352) and Mr Harawira (9965).
In the 2002 election, Mr Samuels won with 7868 votes, while Ms Mangu was runner-up with 2532 and Ms Glavish third with 1926. Ms Glavish could not be contacted yesterday, but Ms Mangu said she was still in discussions with the people who wanted her to stand.
Mr Tipene, 49, said he was not keen to enter national politics as he had other goals, including shepherding Ngati Hine through the Ngapuhi Treaty of Waitangi claims settlement process.
"But if Ngati Hine direct me to stand in the byelection or general election, I would have no choice," he said.
Mr Harawira was re-elected for the Maori Party in 2008, with 12,019 votes; with Mr Davis on 5711.
"He won a good majority," Mr Davis conceded yesterday. "People are fed up with all the [Harawira] trials and tribulations. They are looking for stability and a focus on improvements for our people," he said.
Kelvin Davis keen to challenge Harawira
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.