Maori Party candidate side-lined in byelection
Just two days out from the crucial Te Tai Tokerau byelection, Solomon Tipene has been hospitalised. Hone Harawira criticises what he calls "bull****t tactics".
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Just two days out from the crucial Te Tai Tokerau byelection, Maori Party candidate Solomon Tipene has been hospitalised with a stomach infection.
NBR understands Mr Tipene was admitted to Whangarei Hospital with a stomach infection.
He is scheduled to be discharged today.
Last night, Mr Tipene apologised for being unable to attend a west Auckland meeting organised by teachers' union the New Zealand Educational Institute, because he was in hospital.
Mana Party candidate Hone Harawira cast doubts over the reasons for Mr Tipene's absence, saying: "I don't like these sort of bullshit tactics".
He said he should have been told of Mr Tipene's absence earlier, Radio New Zealand reported.
The Maori Party contender trailed far behind Mr Harawira and Labour's Kelvin Davis in a Maori TV poll of the Northland electorate.
Mr Tipene's campaign has been marked by a series of awkward moments, including ally John Key's prediction that Labour could take the seat, and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia writing off his chances during a TV interview.
Mr Harawira and Mr Davis were neck-and-neck in the Maori TV poll.
The byelection will be held this Saturday.
At the 2008 election, Mr Harawira (then standing for the Maori Party), beat Mr Davis by 6000 votes.
NBR staff
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
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Maori Party candidate side-lined in byelection
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