Labour to select candidate for Manukau East

Manukau East Labour Party will be in campaign mode by the end of next week when it selects its candidate for the 2014 general election. Eight prospective candidates have come forward for selection, to be made after two “Meet the Candidate” meetings, and one formal selection meeting.

Manukau East Labour Party Chair Dennis Gush said that the high number of prospective candidates reflects the upswing of local interest in the Party, which mirrors the rising fortunes of the Party around the country.

“Numbers have grown steadily following the election of New Leader David Cunliffe, and a recent visit by him to the Otara Market has helped to increase interest and support. We expect to do even better this year and to win a strong party vote in the general election.”

Labour Party members will have a chance to judge the prospective candidates at one of two ‘Meet the Candidates’ question and answer sessions. The first is at 10am on Saturday 15 February, at the Papatoetoe Town Hall, St George St, and the second is at 6pm on Wednesday 19 February at the Otara Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church, 7 Fergusson Rd, Otara. Both of these meetings will be open to the public and media. Then at 12:30 pm on Saturday 22 February the final selection meeting will begin. This meeting with be held at the Allan Brewster Recreation centre in Papatoetoe. Entry to this meeting is restricted to members only, but new members can join at the door.

Manukau East Labour Party Chair Dennis Gush expects to join the Party President and Selection Panel to announce the Labour Party candidate for Manukau East in the 2014 General Election on Saturday afternoon.

“Manukau East has an unfortunate reputation for being a low wage area. It is not surprising that it has an active branch of the Closing the Gap campaign. The people who receive those low wages are hurting and want a living wage. There is a mood for change and our new candidate will give people someone to rally round.”

The candidates are:
• Efeso Collins
• Noorie Dhillon
• Anahila Kanongataa-Suisuiiki
• Sunny Kaushal
• Efu Koka
• Jerome Mika
• Jenny Salesa
• Lydia Sosene

ENDS

© Scoop Media