So Hone won the Tai Tokerau by-election after all and quite easily as such elections go. It is likely that if the Maori Party had not fielded a candidate he may have lost. However that party decided to keep faith with its supporters regardless. At least that's what they are saying now. It might have been a wiser strategy not to stand all be it a convenient one. Now Hone is on a roll and his campaign into other Maori electorates could sweep the Maori Party aside. How it would help Maori is not certain.
The Mana Party has some policies on poverty, low incomes, and other negative statistical issues that should resonate with at least 25% of the electorate if they can get them to vote. But that is the problem. They have moved to the left which is what I approve of. I used to be a Labour Party member for that reason. I also tried as a Maori Party member to get them to adopt a policy on "full employment". And I meant for Aotearoa not Australia. I do think that the Maori Party has not developed policy on child and whanau poverty, low incomes and job creation compared to Mana. In this respect they need to hurry up if they are to retain any support. In retrospect they have been tarnished by their association with National. The policies I have just espoused do not sit well with the Nats and are no comparison to "Hobbit" movies.
I do have one piece of advice however for Hone. E hoa. Kia tupato. Kei hinga koe i to hianga.
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