Are Labour trying to throw the seat to Te Pati Maori?

Radio NZ reported:

Labour has selected the former Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni to contest the Tāmaki Makaurau seat.

The Auckland electorate is currently held by Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara – who bested Labour’s Peeni Henare in last year’s by-election.

Ms Leoni was the first wahine Māori elected to the Auckland council – serving from 2022 to 2025.

She unsuccessfully ran against Wayne Brown for mayor last year.

She got just 23% of the vote against Brown. She was described by Labour MP Phil Twyford as not credible. Yet she is now their candidate in a seat they declare they want to win back.

I wonder if this is a cunning plot by Willie Jackson to help his old mate JT old, by ensuring Te Pati Maori retain their seats?