Endorsements for Parata
November 13th, 2010 at 1:00 pm by David FarrarOn The Nation this morning they reported that there is a real split in the Pacific Island vote in Mana, which has traditionally been very strong Labour. They interviewed Liz Tanielu the head of the Teaaomanino Trust which is the biggest pacific island service provider in the region. She says she traditionally votes Labour but that Faafoi is an outsider, and she is angry they could not find a single local to stand, while Hekia has been active for some years in the electorate and “walks the talk”, and that the by-election should not be a party vote but a vote on who will be the best MP.
Then they had on Api Malu, who was representing 40 pacific island church ministers. He says they are looking for people who have worked with them, and that Hekia Parata has impressed a lot of people, and the leadership with what she has done.
Also on the show, Tariana Turia endorsed both Hekia Parata and Matt McCarten as candidates who would make effective MP for Mana.
By coincidence in the Dom Post this morning, Porirua Deputy Mayor Liz Kelly also endorsed Hekia:
Porirua Deputy Mayor Liz Kelly has backed National Party candidate Hekia Parata to win the Mana by-election.
Her prediction will cause ripples as Labour’s Kris Faafoi has been favoured to take the seat, which is viewed as one of Labour’s safest. The party has always polled strongly in the Pacific Island and Maori communities.
Local leaders suggested yesterday that Mr Faafoi’s lack of experience is seen as a drawback.
Ms Kelly, an independent councillor, said Ms Parata’s work in the electorate had not gone unnoticed. “The feedback I’m getting is that Hekia is very popular … There is a lot of support because she’s been working the whole time.”
Mr Faafoi was a “nice guy” but “there’s no history” with the electorate and some voters resented that.
And a local community leader:
Samoan community leader Paula Masoe said Ms Parata had won over a lot of Pasifika supporters. “She’s a hard worker and we respect people who work hard for our community. I’m really happy that someone like Kris put their hand up. But it’s not time for him yet. I don’t want the sweat of our people to be put on someone who’s not ready yet.” …
Experience was valued in the Pacific Island community, she said. “It’s not about having someone who is Pacific Island there, you’ve got to have somebody who is able to carry the huge responsibility and he probably will. But not yet.”
There was a “strong feeling” among local voters that Mr Faafoi was imposed on the community by the parliamentary Labour Party.
“Labour needs to look at themselves because we don’t want to be treated like the poor relations. When they look at putting someone in to speak up for us I’d like to think that they’ve considered a whole lot of other people of our community that have been involved in Labour.
And also in the Dom Post, Chris Trotter effectively endorses Matt McCarten in his weekly column:
I asked Matt if he’d heard of Slavoj Zizek – the Slovenian socialist currently setting the cat of principle among the fat, pragmatic pigeons of the European Left.
“I’m busy, Chris,” he chuckled, “of course I haven’t.” “Well, Matt”, I replied, “Zizek is challenging Europe’s social democrats to stop looking over their shoulder at the European Central Bank; to govern “as if they were free”.
“Maybe that’s what you should ask the Mana electors, Matt. To stop looking over their shoulder at Labour. Could be your slogan: ‘Vote – as if you were free’.”
And in the NZ Herald, Audrey Young says Parata should be promoted to the Ministry:
Pansy Wong’s resignation from the Cabinet a week before the Mana byelection presents Prime Minister John Key with a golden opportunity.
He has the chance to add fresh blood to his ministry without the usual resentments around reshuffles and a chance to show Mana the calibre of National’s Hekia Parata. …
promoting Parata before a byelection – even to a minister outside Cabinet – would tell the Mana electorate something of the calibre of the National candidate.
It is clear that some traditional Pacific Island Labour voters are saying they people should vote for the best MP, not for the party. They are right – this is how MMP works.
Tags: Audrey Young, Chris Trotter, Hekia Parata, Kris Faafoi, Liz Tanielu, Mana, Matt McCarten
November 13th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
If Parata wins this, Goff and the party members who stitched up their candidate selection will be fired before the 2011 election
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Interesting to compare how the campaigns were launched. National radio made sure to mention that Hekia Parata’s campaign launch was a quiet “white dead male” affair, while Labour’s was launched literally with a song and a dance.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
good to see the good folk of Mana being vocal during this time. Most true red electorates like Mana, usually blindly vote Labour. I’m sure Faafoi will be voted in BUT he will be watched closely by the electorate with less than a year to the next election. I think he will be a damp squid like the Mt Albert bloke has been so far.
Vote:I find the description of Parata being hard working interesting. She is doing her work in the house (which is getting snide comments from Daffy etc) and still doing her time electioneering along with her colleagues .. good luck to her.
November 13th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
This should come as no surpise to Labour – the Pacific communities are mobilising very quickly. They should not be taken for granted, the tides are shifting fairly quickly now.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Matt McCarten has a hidden agenda that he is not letting on. I related my tale of this morning’s fresh market conversation in the General Debate.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Interesting that Tariana Turia initially said that people should not vote for Kris Faafoi but vote for Hekia, as she was the government candidate. She then contradicted herself by endorsing Matt McCarten as well. Would Turia have supported them if they weren’t maori? Unlikely.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
It would be rather nice to break up that solid PI voting block and get them out of the habit of ticking the red rosette. Perhaps it is starting to happen?
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Just reflecting, would many people want an endorsement from Turia? She is merely a Harawira minus the bad language. Agree that Hekia comes across well, although unlike Kris her CV wouldn’t include attendance at the signing of Magna Carta.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Labour might have miscalculated here. In a by-election the issues become local and Labour’s old habit of imposing someone on the locals might have backfired. If Hekia wins it will be a wonderful slap on the face for the Labour Party and not before time. I hope John Key can promote her to the Ministry. The Labour Party will turn around and say John Key rigged the whole thing. That party of schemers sees plots everywhere. They are sick.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Putting so called Maori Nat MPs on the grill is bloody easy.
Vote:Just ask them if they believe hories should have the right to fee simple on foreshores at the rate pakeha do and watch them dive for cover.
Uncles the lot of them.
November 13th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Maybe Mana are learning that if you always vote for Labour, then Labour will take you for granted. Make it a competition, and suddenly you get some talent.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
It’ll be great if she does win but she’s a long way from it. It takes a lot to break a lifetime habit and PI’s stick more closely than most with tradition.
“That party of schemers sees plots everywhere. They are sick.”
Yes they do and yes they are but in this case, if they said that, they’d probably be right.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Reid if there’s one thing that really starts to get up the noses of PI’s, it’s tokenism. What you’re hearing from senior PI leaders is them being pandered to by putting “one of their kind” in front of them as their only option. And they essentially got muscled into having to accept it.
They also realise that they cannot be forced to do anything on vote day, and they will send a strong message not to take them for granted.
Talofa
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
In some ways this campaign seems a mirror image of Mt Albert.
There, National bought in a telegenic but inexperienced outsider, pushing aside the local man, and got thumped.
In Mana, this seems to be exactly what Labour has done. Goff has foisted Faafoi onto the locals, saying “Lo! Here is your new spokesperson to represent Pacifika peoples and the people of Mana.” It shouldn’t be surprising that the locals resent being told who is to be their supposed champion. They can see exactly who Faafoi is loyal to: Goff, not them. This is the worst sort of paternalism.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I blogged on Audrey Young’s opinion-piece this morning. Hekia Parata was tipped to be fast-tracked into Cabinet right from the time she entered Parliament in 2008. Here is a chance for John Key to live up to the “Smiling Assassin” nickname and twist the knife that Chris Carter and others have already inserted between Phil Goff’s shoulderblades.
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/11/promotion-heck-yeah.html
And I agree with Roflcopter’s 1.12pm; if Labour loses Mana, Goff will be gone, and Kris Fa’afoi’s political career will end before it began.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I still think Faafoi will win (and not because he is the best candidate) by a few thousand but the PI fraternity have suddenly realised that they have a voice .. the closer the result, the more Labour will shit themselves
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Rolfcopter thanks for that.
I assume this attitude arises from the candidate they wanted over whom Goff’s choice was appointed, which means this is about pride as well as politics. Oh goody.
How popular was that candidate across the parties and what were her strong and weak demographics?
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Unfortunately the socialist carpetbagger has a great chance of winning simply because of a vast majority of the P.I. population will vote along racial lines.
Mamamamamamacarten will be sorely disappointed the day after the election.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
“Reid if there’s one thing that really starts to get up the noses of PI’s, it’s tokenism. ”
Shit Rofl and here was silly old honkie me thinking that the one thing that really got up a brownies nose was the mere threat of cutting down on their benefit entitlements.
You have me interested in your theory.
Tell me more.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
“Just ask them if they believe hories should have the right to fee simple on foreshores at the rate pakeha do..”
You’ll be happy if we make that the rate for hories’ prisons population. Way to go Maoridom.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
That is very, very, cruel Manolo.
For pity’s sake will you please stop telling the truth?
Our brown brethren don’t recognise it.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Labour just needs to dish out some KFC vouchers and it’ll be sweet.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Now that sounds like serious “Tokenism” to me noskire and will really piss the PI vote off so they will all decide to tick ACT.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I am expecting a surprise result. Labour will still probably take the seat, but it will be for the last time IMHO
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Yes…this is all very impressive, but was Hekia at the opening of NZ’s 1st McDonalds “restaurant” at Porirua?
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I was, (unlike Faafoi) alive at the opening of MacDonalds Porirua and a big mac tasted just like shit, the same as it does now.
Everything changes and everything stays the same.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
By elections are different from General elections.
Vote:You ony have one vote, a candidate vote which may or may not represent the party of your choice.
Reasons to believe Kris will win.
Winnie Laban had a 6,100 majority.
Mana has a high number of PI voters.
Kris has a PI background but is unable to speak Tokeluan
Labour have held Mana for 75 years
No Government has EVER won a by election from an opposition in NZ
Kris has the endorsement of Phil Goff
BUT……………………..he is clearly not the best MP for Mana
November 13th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
“Labour have held Mana for 75 years”
The electorate was created for the introduction of MMP in 1996 from the Porirua electorate; and from the southern part of the Kapiti electorate, ie Paraparaumu south of the airport and Raumati.
You talk shit Fisiani.
[DPF: But all the predecessor seats were held by Labour also]
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I attended a candidates meeting at Cannons Creek school organised by the NZEI last night. The hostile crowd were slowly won over by Hekia as the night progressed. She received a bigger cheer at the end then Kris and won the respect of belligerent questioners who were given cogent and clear explanations of the educational reforms being brought about by National. I reckon she deserves Minister status.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Your shit is starting to smell better Fisiani!
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Fisiani – on that basis she should go straight to the front bench and get the Education portfolio – Tolley sure can’t give a cogent and clear explanation of English’s policies.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
You, of course can Trev. How is [deleted by DPF and 20 demerits]
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
More correct to say that the core of Mana has been Labour for 75 years i concede
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Trev . Why on earth would Anne Tolley give an explanation of Bill English’s policies?
Vote:Are you confused?
Still feeling sore about being continually bested by Tolley in the House during QT.
November 13th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Thank you Fisiani. I can agree with that.
I do of course find it very disagreeable to concede any sort of point at all to a piece of shit like Trev.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
“Tolley sure can’t give a cogent and clear explanation of English’s policies.”
Trevor, Tolley’s grasp of policies is as good as your awesome mathematical skills. You’d be well advised to keep your mouth shut.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Trevor Mallard said
Newsflash: Mallard endorses Hekia Parata; Goff apoplectic!
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Ha ha ha IV2.
Barbacue at Faulke Ave anybody?
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Heck yeah!
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
McCarten is a real danger to the Greens – word is some Mana Green activists have been conflicted about who to be supporting and some have switched sides to join McCarten’s campaign (or are trying it both ways). Compounded by the off-mark management of Logie’s volunteers in the electorate (at least from complaints I’ve heard) some Green members aren’t too inspired with the campaign.
If McCarten gets more votes than Logie, it’s not going to look, or feel, great for the Greens. And, as Bryce Edwards has pointed out beating Logie is probably one of McCarten’s goals in the by-election, and will be a great incentive to launch the new left party that’s in the rumour mills. He will be even more energised if Labour wins by a greatly reduced margin (or, god-forbid, not at all…)
Seems there’s more at stake here than just an electorate seat – at least for the left, anyway.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
The Chris Trotter quote reminds me of a quote I recently saw on Coyote Blog:
I was discussing this with Dan Geer the other day – the fact that individual liberty (social, economic, etc.) is the goal, and democracy (political “liberty”) is just a tool to get there … and not even a particularly good tool.
I’d be all in favor of a limited constitutional monarchy, if the result was – integrated over time – more social and economic freedom….
Leftists don’t understand this at all – they think that the freedom to vote for your choice of bully who will lord it over everyone else is the paramount right, and they don’t recognize economic liberty at all.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Mallard, I think you’ve had too much Dicken Cider… go away.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Very droll Trev. Way I see it is, it’s obvious that your close mate the Leader of the Opposition supported a candidate which apparently few others now are.
Good luck.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Trevor shoots at an open goal, and misses once again.
Don’t really think things through? Do we now?
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I think Tolley has been looking better recently now that the unions are digging themselves into a hole and they just can’t see it. She flicked off Trev on Thurs easily.
Vote:And I think Trev is right in that Hekia should be promoted ,, good call Trev, did Andrew Little approve your opinion?
November 13th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Fuck me. The Faulke Ave. Fuckwit wouldn’t want it to be known that Little Andy has to approve his opinions.
Shit he is “THE MAN” over here. (In his own tiny mind of course).
If you think I talk shit just come and see how cool he looks swanning around Wainui in the “Trevmobile”.
He is De Man!!!!!
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Did I read Trev the Muss right. He endores Hekia for Education Minster over any of his team. Well f..k me. I am confused. I get the feeling the texts from the old US of A will be busy tonight.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Of course never forget that the useless piece of crap Trev, was once a failed teacher before he found his true home amongst the rest of the bloody failures in the Labour party caucus.
Seems appropriate somehow that shit finds its own level.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Saturday Night Dance Fever, eh Trev? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7_tdzKUyzI
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Unless you have a strong stomach don’t look.
If you do you can see why us Wainuiomartians are as tough as nails cause we have to look at shit like this everyday without throwing up.
http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1233108507/431/420431.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/420424&h=360&w=300&sz=32&tbnid=1S3zMWmHp5jpAM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=101&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtrevor%2Bmallard&zoom=1&q=trevor+mallard&hl=en&usg=__bEM2cFkUpM04HMmg4U14gFljq44=&sa=X&ei=vD7eTImeO4f6swPg3cyLCg&ved=0CEkQ9QEwCA
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
noskire ( that dance is now political folklore) and Johnboy .. reminding Trev about these instances will be like water off a ducks back .. hehe
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Trevor………….Trevor………………..simple little Twevor…..opps I mean Trevor.
Vote:You were the largest waste of space as Education Minister,a joke and totally sidelined by your socialist roots and weak in all aspects of your portfolio.
Good with you fists,and now commited to cycling and fitness,pity that didnt extend to your wife and kids,still who am I to judge.
Take a look at your achievements to dat and its obvious you cant follow through,really disappointing.
November 13th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Lilman .. you are now in moderation
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
with the rest of us .. other than “maggie” of course
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I havent seen the programme but agree that the Pacific vote is shifting. With more choices than our parents ever had people are drifting away from Labour. As a person, you cant help but feel sorry for Faafoi, but did he honestly think The People would accept him at face value??? There’s a samoan saying that goes leadership through service. Go back to the drawing board and earn your stripes. If he were to try and stand in Samoa or Tokelau based on his track record, he would be trashed. I watched my reli receive a Porirua Youth Award from the PM. Despite the oldies being staunch labour supporters they were beaming from ear to ear. They wont admit it but were very humbled and honoured by the ceremony. For that alone, Hekia gets my vote for allowing the oldies begin to realise why they migrated to NZ.
Vote:November 13th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Unless you have a strong stomach don’t look.
Errrrrghhh! That is revolting!
I will never forgive you for that Johnboy!
Bllurrrraaagghh, (there goes the piza)
Vote:November 14th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Here’s a tip Mana. Hekia is already in parliament on the list. If she realy loves Mana as much as she says she will continue her hard work for my electorate. Here’s the thing though-vote Colin du Plessis for your electorate MP and you get two avid and talented Mana supporters actively working together for you. And I actually live here whch is a bonus.
Vote:With me as the Mana electorate MP-John Key gets 6 ACT Allies to counter the 5 Maori seats. this means no more expensive deals every time John Key nee Maori Party for something. A strong vote for Coln du Plessis in Mana is a positive vote for a stronger more effective National-lead government. So if you are a National voter planning to vote for Hekia-vote for Colin instead. You know this makes sense! Use MMP stratgically and we all win-tell your friends. The Left is in tatters-the center right can win this thing.
November 14th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
CJD, do mankind a favour and crawl back into the cave you came from. I had the misfortune of listening to you at the candidates debate at Cannons Creek School. You lacked substance, intellect and integrity. You love yourself more than anything else. A vote for you would be a vote wasted. Go away….far away.
[DPF: Wind down the personal abuse]
Vote:November 15th, 2010 at 8:27 am
@okesene7 You really…really need to stay off the gin…Mum!
Vote: