Serving a straggling electorate such as Ikaroa-Rawhiti, which stretches from the top of the East Coast to the bottom of the North Island, is a big ask for any MP.
It is geographically impossible to do justice to the huge area, especially if the MP also has ministerial responsibilities. Little wonder
constituents complain that they never see their representative.
Despite that, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia is a shoo-in this time compared with his first race in 1999, when he had a majority of 695.
The former country boy from Tolaga Bay, 30km northeast of Gisborne, does not have former Wairoa mayor and prominent broadcaster Derek Fox breathing down his neck this time. The mishmash of seven challengers is not putting him under pressure.
New Zealand First and the Greens have not entered the fray and National candidate Alan Delamere (brother of former Cabinet minister Tuariki Delamere), has not made an impact.
With Labour looking to retain its grip on all the Maori seats, Horomia should receive a clear mandate. The politically sensitive portfolio has given him some headaches but the former rugby prop is considered to have a safe pair of hands.
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