Derek Fox - Maori Party Candidate for Ikaroa Rawhiti

An elated chairperson for the Maori Party electorate of
Ikaroa Rawhiti, last night announced the candidate to
contest the General Elections in 2008 is Derek Fox.

"Derek Tini Fox, of Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu, is an
excellent candidate for us to take the Ikaroa Rawhiti seat"
said Mr Paku.

"Derek has devoted his life to bringing the voice of Maori
across the airwaves, through his career in television,
print,
radio and Maori media" said Mr Paku.

"His decision now, to stand for a strong and independent
Maori voice in Parliament has been warmly welcomed by the
peoples of Ikaroa Rawhiti, who see in Derek an outstanding
communicator, a sharp political analyst, and a true
representative of the people".

"Politics has been in his blood for many years, whether as
local government councillor for Mahia and Nuhaka, as Mayor
of Wairoa, or as an independent candidate in the 1999
General Elections" said Mr Paku.

"The Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate selection campaign was
extremely tough" said Party President, Whatarangi Winiata.
"Derek faced formidable competition from the extremely
strong lineup of Glenis Philip-Barbara, Mereana Pitman,
Keriana Tawhiwhirangi and Atareta Poananga".

The candidate selection process for the Maori Party started
on Saturday 1 March at Hinerupe Marae in Te Araroa, and
consisted of hui and roving polling booths right across the
electorate.

"The nominees had to present to large hui of members at Te
Araroa, Ruatorea, Tolaga Bay, Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier,
Hastings, Waipukurau, Dannevirke, Masterton and Wainuiomata"
said Professor Winiata.

"I congratulate all of our nominees for their impressive
work over the last week in particular, and am delighted that
we have a candidate of the calibre of Derek Fox to lead us
into the elections" said Professor Winiata.

"This completes our selection process for the candidates for
the seven Maori electorate seats" said Professor Winiata.

"With a Marae Digipoll result last week showing that the
Maori Party would take the Ikaroa Rawhiti seat (54% of
voters); and the fantastic lineup of seven candidates that
the membership has now selected, the Maori Party is in very
good health for 2008" ended Professor Winiata.