Hot Topic
DEALMAKERS
National list MP Claudette Hauiti has suddenly announced she will not stand at this year’s election.
The reason for the late announcement is not clear: Ms Hauiti was found last week to have used a parliamentary expenses card for personal use during a recent trip to Australia and, although she has paid the money back, the issue appears to have damaged her prospects.
The National Party list is to be released within the next few days and she is understood to be not ranked high on that list.
No reason has been given for her withdrawal.
Ms Hauiti entered Parliament last year after the departure of disgraced Christchurch list MP Aaron Gilmore.
At the last election she stood in Mangere and she was to stand in the newly designated west Auckland seat of Kelston this year. That seat is, on paper, reasonably solid for Labour.
The sudden decision means a late re-opening of nominations for the Kelston electorate by the National Party. Nominations close on 30 July.
Before entering Parliament she owned television production company Front of the Box Productions.
Rob Hosking
Tue, 22 Jul 2014
Tue, 22 Jul 2014
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Election 2014: Hauiti pulls out
39799