Kerrin Leoni (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāti Kuri) has secured Labour’s nomination for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate, marking a significant step in her political career as the party prepares for the next general election. Leoni’s selection follows the departure of long-serving MP Peeni Henare, opening the door for new leadership in one of the country’s key Māori electorates.
The former mayoral candidate, who secured close to 80,000 votes in the Auckland mayoralty race, was selected following a closely contested process against fellow contender Nathaniel Howe, who brought strong grassroots credentials and a growing youth following. Nathaniel, a former kapa haka leader and a singer for Maimoa Music, also supported communities on Aotea Great Barrier Island during recent flooding.
“I’ve always had a passion to work with our Māori whānau and to look at those issues like housing, cost of living, health and get more jobs for our whanau going forward. So it’s an honour and a privilege to be selected,” Leoni said.
“I was the chair for Māori outcomes in Council. I was able to get a number of a million dollars for iwi from that budget.” She added that the opportunity to contest the seat came up and she decided to “see how i went,” she said.
According to Stats NZ, more than 50,000 young people who have turned 18 are eligible to vote this year. Leoni’s key focus for her campaign will be rangatahi engagement.
“We’re gonna get out to the universities and a lot of the high schools. Build those networks up and get them enrolled because we know that’s a huge area to work on,” Leoni said.
Attention now turns to the general election, where Leoni will face current sitting Tāmaki Makaurau MP Oriini Kaipara in what is described as a difficult race. Leoni now heads into the campaign with the focus turning to winning the seat.
“In Tāmaki Makaurau, Kerrin is known for advocating and representing Māori at the decision-making table,” Labour’s Māori campaign chair, Willie Jackson, said.
“Kerrin was the first wahine Māori councillor on Auckland council and the first wahine Māori to run for the Auckland mayoralty, campaigning on issues relating to poverty, youth development, and whānau wellbeing.
“At a time when Māori unemployment is double the national average and the cost of living is out of control, Tāmaki Makaurau needs someone who knows how to get things done.
“I have every confidence that Kerrin will bring her experience, advocacy, and work ethic to Parliament as the next MP for Tāmaki Makaurau.