By Queenie Rikihana

THE cry of “where are our Maori Party MPs?” got a swift response from party officials at Te Tai Tonga Maori seat aspirant Rahui Katene’s meet-the-candidate hui in Newtown hall.

And missing they were – with sitting Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell at a tangi in Rotorua and co-leader Pita Sharples at home nursing a sick wife.

Co-party leader Tariana Turia was “absolutely exhausted” after a flying visit to Maniapoto, which left just Hone Harawira – but party president Professor Whatarangi Winiata said he had “gone walk-about”.

But after a two hour talkathon on the back of a truck through Wellington streets, where he had shouted himself hoarse, Mr Harawira too was excused.

The turnout of 60-plus would have pleased Maori Party organisers as the night was wet and wintry.

Party worker Heeni Collins said lawyer, mother of five (and with five mokopuna) Ms Katene had been out door knocking in every suburb in Wellington with a Kilbirnie public hall meeting drawing 40.

However, it was clear many of the public had come to check out Ms Katene, a replacement for highly respected educationist Monte Ohia who passed away suddenly in June.

Critical to taking the Te Tai Tonga seat from Labour’s Mahara Okeroa is for Ms Katene to get backing from Kai Tahu. 

Her iwi affiliations include Ngati Koata and Ngati Kuri on her father John Hippolite’s side and Kai Tahu (Kaikoura) from her mother June Grey.

Maori Party senior adviser Helen Leahy said Kai Tahu had presented Mr Ohia with a pounamu as a symbol of their support for him, but “that had taken three years”

Mr Winiata said the four Maori party MPs had worked very hard in the House, each making 166 speeches on many issues.

The party had to do such a good job in the future that in 2012 Maori people, “will be convinced to [take up] the option to move on to the Maori roll”, he told the meeting.

Ms Katene said whanau and the elimination of child poverty by 2020 were party policies important to her.

She supported the extension of 20 hours’ free childcare to kohanga reo and playcentres, and increasing access to student allowances.

PICTURE: (L-R) Rahui Katene, Professor Whatarangi Winiata and Morrie Love.

WILLIAM LIANDO was there to get VIDEO coverage: