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National | Elections

Māori seats to watch: Te Tai Tokerau, Te Tai Hauauru and Tāmaki Makaurau

The three Māori seats to watch for tomorrow when the results are, are Te Tai Tokerau, Te Tai Hauāuru and Tāmaki Makaurau.  Political reporter Maiki Sherman gives us her political overview before the big day:

Recently, reports were released in regards to the Māori Party executive allegedly asking Te Hira Paenga to stand down.  Since these reports, Te Ururoa had spoken to Te Kaea and refutes these claims.

However, no matter which way the Māori Party debates the issue, the fact is the proposed strategy was put on the table and both Te Hira Paenga and Sonny Tau say that strategy doesn't align with Māori ideology, more importantly, the Māori Party's ideology.

Therein lies the crux of the matter.  This strategy hasn’t really been seen in relation to the Māori seats.  It is a strategy more readily seen from parties such as National in the general electorates of Ohariu and Epsom.

No doubt that discussion will continue amongst the Māori Party.

The survival of Internet MANA rests in the hands of Hone Harawira.

The question is, does the decision on whether National or Labour will govern depends on the re-election of Hone Harawira?

This is one of the biggest battles of the entire election, not just in the Māori seats, but across the country.

Someone will survive and others will not.  We may see the end for Internet-MANA, we may see the survival of Hone Harawira and his friends.

If Kelvin doesn't win, he may very well be gone given he's not in a good list position.  So, all eyes tomorrow will be on Te Tai Tokerau.

In relation to the Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Hauāuru electorates, will we see any significant change from the results of the early Māori Television Reid Research polls in the election results tomorrow?

This is doubtful as many are expecting the results to be just as tight as what we saw in our Māori Television polls.

In Tāmaki Makaurau, it's age versus youth, we'll soon see who comes out on top.

In Te Tai Hauāuru, you have the battle of the giants.

Behind Chris McKenzie you have Tariana Turia, on the other hand, you have Adrian Rurawhe who has behind him the Rātana faith, including Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana of whom he is a direct descendant.

So, those three seats are the ones to watch in the Māori electorates come tomorrow.