Harawira resigns, forcing by-election
After momentarily appearing to get cold feet, the rebel Mana MP has resigned this afternoon.
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After momentarily appearing to get cold feet, the rebel Mana MP Hone Harawira has resigned from Parliament this afternoon, triggering a by-election in his Te Tai Tokerau electorate that will cost an estimated $500,000.
Mr Harawira's resignation takes effect on May 20, just ahead of the by-election cut off date of six months before a general election.
Yesterday, Labour leader Phil Goff announced his party would stand a candidate - Kelvin Davis - in the controversial by-election.
The Maori Party (which confirmed it would stand a candidate on Sunday) and Mr Harawira's new Mana Party are set to go head to head in the Maori seat and now Labour will try to benefit from any splitting of the vote that causes.
In the 2008 election Mr Harawira won the seat under the Maori Party banner with 12,019 votes. In second place was Labour's Mr Davis who got 5711 votes.
NBR staff
Wed, 11 May 2011
Wed, 11 May 2011
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Harawira resigns, forcing by-election
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