Ikaroa-Ra¯ whiti
The Ikaroa-Ra¯whiti electorate extends from the top of the East Cape in the North Island to the Wellington region, and includes Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, as well as most of the Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata.
The Labour Party’s Meka Whaitiri won the seat comfortably in 2014, beating out her closest rival, the Mana Party’s Te Hamoa Nikora.
This election, Ma¯ori Party co-leader Marama Fox and the Green Party’s Elizabeth Kerekere are taking a tilt at the East Coast Ma¯ori electorate.
Ikaroa-Ra¯whiti has the lowest growth rate of all the Ma¯ori electorates.
Nearly a third of the electorate aged 15 or over have no qualifications, the highest proportion of any electorate in the country.
There was a small change to the IkaroaRa¯whiti boundary in 2007 that extended the electorate’s western boundary to include Belmont, Taita and Naenae.
There are 34,514 on the Ma¯ori electoral role in Ikaroa-Ra¯whiti. Of those, 66 per cent voted last election.
The candidates Marama Fox, Ma¯ ori Party: Co-leader Ma¯ ori Party and list MP. Iwi affiliations: Nga¯ ti Kahungunu, Rangitane, Nga¯ ti Porou.
I have been a strong Ma¯ori advocate in Parliament. My nine children inspire me to ensure wha¯nau are healthy, well-educated and live in a safe, warm home. As a teacher, I have seen first-hand the obstacles wha¯nau face to become self-reliant. I am committed to addressing unemployment, homelessness and bringing employment to the people of Ikaroa-Ra¯whiti.
Elizabeth Kerekere, Green Party: Activist and artist. Iwi affiliations: Ngati Oneone, Wha¯ nau a Kai, Te Aitanga a Ma¯ haki, Rongowhakaata, Ngai Ta¯ manuhiri.
For over 35 years, I have fought for change as an activist, a Treaty consultant and a takata¯pui/Rainbow advocate. I give voice for those who are marginalised and invisibilised. I plan to take that fight into Parliament to eliminate poverty, clean up our rivers and fight climate change. Party vote Green to make that happen.
Meka Whaitiri, Labour Party: MP for Ikaroa-Ra¯ whiti. Iwi affiliations: Rongowhakaata, Ngai Ta¯ manuhiri, Nga¯ ti Kahungunu.
I’ve worked hard to always be available and mobile around a large, challenging rohe. I believe I’ve kept faith with my constituents on the issues that matter. I’ve shown strength in Parliament, standing up for land-owners and successfully leading the Opposition to unpopular Ture Whenua reforms. I’m committed to continue working hard representing our people.