Labour Māori have spoken, voting in Tāmaki Makaurau member, Shanan Halbert, as the new Chair of the party’s Kaunihera Māori.
The decision was made at the Kaunihera Māori AGM today in Palmerston North.
Halbert takes over from Wellington local Daniel Phillips who told Te Kāea this morning he wouldn’t be looking at running for the position again this year.
Halbert was on the Labour Party list in the 2014 elections and Te Kāea understands he intends to run in the 2017 general election in the Maungakiekie electorate.
Former TVNZ Weatherman, Tamati Coffey is the new deputy chair, and will work alongside new executive members including Māori lawyers Willow-Jean Prime, Kiritapu Allen and Katie Paul. Halbert says, “The new executive is a reflection of the diversity amongst Labour supporters. It’s exciting times for us.”
Labour members and supporters will attend the Party’s annual conference in Palmerston North this weekend where our reporter Ripeka Timutimu will have full coverage.
