Waatea News Column: John Tamihere doesn’t like to do anything easy does he?
Most political commentators, myself included, simply assumed John Tamihere would be placed at number 2 on the Party list so that if another Māori MP wins an electorate and scores 1% Party vote, Tamihere would simply enter Parliament on the MMP coat tail.
We were all wrong.
Tamihere is clearly challenging the Māori electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau, ‘You either vote me in as the electorate representative, or you don’t get me at all’.
It’s an old school move by an old school Politician.
Winning an electorate seat rather than entering Parliament on the Party list is the gold medal of political representation and Tamihere wants the mana of that win so that he has a mandate to actually demand the transformative change Māori are crying out for.
Tamihere’s argument to Tāmaki Makaurau is that Peeni and Marama are getting in off the Party lists, so voters already have them as representatives, but voting Tamihere in gives them a 3rd voice of representation!
Will it work?
Māori have shown themselves to be the greatest tactical MMP voters in NZs political history. They have used the Māori electorates to maximise their political voice like no other segment of society has, and if there is any group who can tactically vote and gain, it’s them.
Say what you like about John Tamihere, but he doesn’t flinch from a challenge and always sets a higher target.
Let’s see if it works come election day.
First published on Waatea News.
No he doesn’t’ does he; – ever since he was mired in the 2008 Auckland mayoral election corruption’; – https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/116523373/auckland-council-elections-john-tamihere-fails-to-show-after-crushing-defeat-to-rival-phil-goff
Tamihere had broken the traditional mayoral campaign mould, adopting a US presidential-style approach by choosing a “running mate” in veteran councillor and former National MP Christine Fletcher.
His hope had been to generate support in both left-leaning strongholds in the south and west, with Fletcher’s role attracting voters in the more right-leaning parts of the city.
Attempts to compare his election promises with the likes of Donald Trump were quickly shut down, he called them “lazy” and “very poor”.
However he was prone to a controversial soundbite, and his campaign will be most remembered for his use of a Nazi salute during a heated debate at Ponsonby’s Chapel Bar.
Tamahere has lost most of the public respect now.
Give in to them and they will reward you.
I hope this bold strategy pays off, John Tamihere deserves to win this seat.
In his campaign for the seat of Tāmaki Makaurau, Tamihere has shown himself to be a principled campaigner.
“Level 4 lockdown for at least 14 days should have been made by the Prime Minister when she announced the new community outbreak,” Tamihere said.
The Daily Blog -August 17, 20206197
Under Level 4 Lockdown Maori, along with everyone else, are prohibited from attending large gatherings, even Tangihanga. Last time we went to Level 4 this prohibition on large gatherings caused some resentment among Maori.
The Maori Party’s call for a full lockdown to eliminate the corona virus is an example of the sort of leadership that puts the welfare of Maori above cadging their votes.
I watched his mayoralty campaign. Principled and John Tamihere are words that do not belong in the same sentence
Interesting summing of the situation. Thanks for explaining the moves.