Challenge from Shortland unsettles Hone Harawira
Willie Jackson Opinion's
Friday, 4th November, 2011
Opinion: Waihoroi Shortland is number one on the Maori Party list.
Waihoroi who? You may well ask. Shortland is well known for his Maori language expertise and broadcasting skills so it's no surprise that many rate him as the most accomplished Maori language broadcaster in the country.
He stood initially for the Maori Party in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election but unbelievably lost his selection to Solomon Tipene.
Now that he's their candidate in the general election he's decided that there's only way to take on the incumbent Hone Harawira and that's head on.
Shortland has wasted no time in attacking Harawira at every opportunity.
He says Harawira has done nothing for his constituents and delivered zero back to the north.
His confrontational style has clearly caught Harawira off guard. In the past he has always been the most aggressive candidate.
The latest poll has Harawira in front on 42 percent with Labour's Kelvin Davis on 35 percent and Shortland back on 20 percent. That hasn't fazed Shortland at all. He has already doubled the support Solomon Tipene received and says the only losers are Harawira and Davis, who are losing support to him.
It will be fascinating to watch how Harawira responds to the challenge.
He's making his mark though in the leadership debates.
Left-wing commentator Chris Trotter described Harawira's performance on TVNZ's programme Q & A as brilliant.
But Harawira's going to have to balance his leadership responsibilities in Mana with his campaign duties in the northern electorate in order to retain the seat.
The closeness of Labour's poll and the all-out attack strategy by Shortland means Harawira has no choice and he will have to put more time into the seat.
The last week has seen both the Maori and Mana parties make their mark.
The Maori Party's decision to rank Shortland number one on the list as well as promote new blood ahead of the incumbent MPs was very strategic and courageous.
Shortland's performances have ensured that Harawira won't be sleepwalking to victory.
Apart from Harawira's outstanding debate performances as leader of Mana, his southern Maori candidate Clinton Dearlove won the Te Tai Tonga debate hands down which unfortunately could prove fatal for the Maori Party's hard-working MP Rahui Katene.
It's likely that Dearlove will take a chunk of votes off Katene which should see Labour's candidate Rino Tirikatene reclaim the seat.
There are some exciting battles looming and the fight for the Maori vote will be well worth watching.
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