Davis breaks the glass ceiling
Kelvin Davis says he will be able to help the people of Te Tai Tokerau more in his new role as deputy Labour leader.
The Te Tai Tokerau MP says it is great news for the electorate.
He was elected unopposed as Labour’s new deputy leader to Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday.
‘‘I will be able to exact more influence.
‘‘Northland is one of the most economically depressed areas in the country.
‘‘Housing issues are chronic and there are major health issues, there are downstream effects of that with social problems which have an economic cost to the country,’’ Davis said.
‘‘I can swing resources to the North.’’
When asked whether he will have less time for Te Tai Tokerau with his added responsibilities, Davis said it will be a balancing act to ensure the needs of the North are being addressed, but also ensuring what is good for all of the country.
Davis, 50, was born in the Bay of Islands and now lives in Kaitaia with his wife Moira, a teacher.
His last education role was as principal of Kaitaia Intermediate, and he first entered Parliament on the Labour list in 2008.
Davis claimed the electorate seat in 2014 on his fourth attempt, from long-time rival Hone Harawira of Mana.
Davis said he is confident of retaining the Te Tai Tokerau seat.
‘‘From my hapu Ngati Manu and Ngapuhi, there is an element of satisfaction that one of our own is doing well in a political sphere.
‘‘For Maoridom, I have broken the glass ceiling [being the first Maori deputy leader for Labour]. I feel the weight of expectation and responsibility.’’
Davis comes from a successful family, his eldest brother Patrick
is a senior police sergeant, while his other brother Greg is a district court judge. His sister Sonya worked as a teacher in Auckland.
‘‘I suppose as a politician I am the disappointment in my family,’’ Davis said.
He said he stands by his record over the past three years as proof he gets things done.
Davis, alongside the rest of
Labour’s Maori electorate MPs, decided not to run on the party list, in their bid to defeat the Maori Party and Mana alliance.
Now as deputy leader, he is number two on the list.
‘‘I would have preferred to stay off the list to show solidarity with our Maori caucus, but we aren’t going to worry about a technicality.’’