Te Pāti Māori have confirmed former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara will stand as its candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election.
In a statement, the party said Kaipara had “dedicated decades amplifying the stories of Māori communities, holding prime ministers to account and chairing nationally televised Māori electorate debates”.
She was selected at a behind-closed-doors hui at Hoani Waititi Marae on Thursday evening, RNZ reports.
“Oriini brings a lifetime of leadership and advocacy, both in media and in the community. Her voice is exactly what Tāmaki needs to honour the memory of Takutai Moana and to ensure Māori voices are heard loud and clear in Parliament,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
Kaipara said she was committed to honouring the legacy of MP Takutai Moana Tarsh Kemp “by being a fierce advocate for Tāmaki.”
“My role now is to move from covering the story to changing it,” she said.
The seat had been vacant since Kemp’s death two weeks ago.
The MP died yesterday at the age of 50. (Source: 1News)
Labour MP and former Auckland seat holder Peeni Henare has not yet said whether he would contest the seat.
If a Te Pāti Māori candidate wins the byelection, the party keeps its total at six MPs.
But if Henare — who is already a list MP — stands and wins the seat for Labour, then he becomes an electorate MP and therefore his party would be able to bring their next person on the list who is Georgie Dansey. Labour would go from 34 to 35 seats.
If another party wins the race, there would be no change to the overall number of MPs.
In all scenarios the number of MPs in Parliament remains at 123 due to the overhang.
A date for the by-election was also yet to be set.