Former Labour Minister and Te Tai Tonga MP, Rino Tirikātene has confirmed to Tuia News he won’t be standing in this years election for NZ First, instead joining the party as a member.
Questions were raised today about Tirikātene’s role within NZ First as members and candidates descended on Tāmaki Makaurau to the partys convention.
However, Tikikātene, who wasn’t in attendance at the conference, told Tuia News that he “supports the principles and policies” of the party and that “Winston and Shane are whanaungā of mine and I support them 100%”.
Former politicians from rival parties are among the newest members joining New Zealand First, as the party builds momentum ahead of this year’s general election.
Hundreds gathered in South Auckland for the party’s two-day convention, where leader Winston Peters welcomed supporters and promoted the party’s election strategy. Peters says more people are turning to New Zealand First because they believe it now best represents their values.
Former Labour MP Dover Samuels said his decision to support New Zealand First came after becoming disillusioned with Labour.
“When I look back on my journey through Parliament with the Labour Party, I ask myself, where is the real Labour Party? Its thinking and its policies are very different from what they were when I was in Parliament,” he said.
Among the new members are businessman George Ngatai, former All Blacks captain Taine Randell and former National MP Harete Hipango, who will contest the Whanganui electorate.
Hipango rejected suggestions she had left National, saying instead the party had moved away from its conservative roots.
“There are many members that have found those values, the socially conservative aspect of who we are as a traditional society, resonates with New Zealand First,” she said.
The convention also debated remits likely to attract strong Māori interest. They include removing Māori and iwi-specific tax advantages, limiting council partnerships with iwi, and redefining the constitutional status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Despite those proposals, Samuels urged people to keep an open mind.
“There is a Māori history and context behind these issues, and we need to look forward,” he said.
The convention continues tomorrow with the launch of the official election campaign.