Taurima to contest seat for Maori Party

Former broadcaster Shane Taurima has been selected as the Maori Party’s candidate in Tamaki Makaurau.

Taurima is an adviser in Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell’s office and was selected as candidate by the local electorate committee and party members at the weekend.

His candidacy is yet to be confirmed by the Maori Party’s National Council and Taurima would not comment until that happened.

The Maori Party had been in talks with Willie Jackson to stand in the seat, but Jackson decided to stand for Labour instead, saying it was partly because he did not believe he had support from Flavell.

Taurima had hoped to stand for Labour in the electorate in 2014, but blotted his copybook after he was found to have used TVNZ resources for Labour Party purposes, includ- ing hosting meetings on TVNZ property.

Taurima left TVNZ after that but missed out on selection for Labour.

A TVNZ inquiry found no evidence Taurima’s political leanings had impacted on the shows he oversaw as the head of Maori and

I won’t be there to throw mud at [Taurima] but for the kaupapa. Peeni Henare, Labour MP

Pacific programming, or in his hosting of current affairs show Q+A.

Tamaki Makaurau was held by former Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples between 2005 and 2014, when he retired. It is one of the Maori Party’s key target seats.

Labour’s Peeni Henare won in 2014 and said he was looking forward to some “strong debate” with Taurima. Asked about the contro- versy over Taurima’s departure from TVNZ, Henare said: “I certainly don’t think that will help his lot.”

“However, I’m focused on fronting against the man in all the debates . . . and in true Maori politics I won’t be there to throw mud at him but for the kaupapa.”

Henare won the seat with a majority of 1462 votes over Maori Party candidate Rangi McLean. Mana Party candidate Kereama Pene got 2624 votes in that election.

Taurima will be hoping the electorate deal between the Maori Party and Mana Party will help him win the seat back.

The Maori Party has now selected candidates in all Maori seats other than Te Tai Tonga. It is understood it is still in talks with Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon about standing in the seat.

It is not standing in Te Tai Tokerau because of its agreement to let Mana leader Hone Harawira have a clear run.