MP says deputy role will give more influence
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 Tai Tokerau MP was elected unopposed as Labour’s new deputy leader to Jacinda Ardern, on August 1.
‘‘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.
‘‘I can swing resources to the North.’’
When asked whether he will now have less time for Te Tai Tokerau, Davis says 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, who works as a teacher.
He first entered parliament on the Labour list in 2008 and claimed the electorate seat in 2014 on his fourth attempt from long-time rival Hone Harawira of Mana.
‘‘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 says.
He says he stands by his record over the past three years as proof he gets things done.
These include confronting then Prime Minister John Key on his ‘‘lack of effort on behalf of people in Australian detention centres, Statoil disappearing from Northland, then Corrections Minister [Sam Lotu-liga] losing his job and Serco being removed from running Mt Eden Prison [after Davis made allegations under Parliamentary privilege which were investigated in an inquiry].’’