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Labour's David Cunliffe criticised for 'smarmy' choice in running mate

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Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:21a.m.

David Cunliffe is going head-to-head with David Shearer for Labour's leadership

David Cunliffe is going head-to-head with David Shearer for Labour's leadership

By 3 News online staff

Labour MP David Cunliffe’s choice of running mate has come under fire, with John Tamihere saying he only picked Nanaia Mahuta because she is female and Maori.

Mr Tamihere, who was once a Labour MP himself, says the only thing Ms Mahuta is lacking is a limp.

“Then he would have got the disabled [vote] too,” he said. “That’s the truth of it and that’s the way it smacked as soon as I saw it.”

He labeled Mr Cunliffe’s choice in deputy “smarmy” and typical of him.

“I’m the type of Maori that doesn’t back dumb Maori, so I’m not saying she’s a dumb Maori. I’m just saying if she was awfully meritorious, I’d back her 100 percent.

“That has not been my experience.”

Ms Mahuta successfully campaigned in the Hauraki Waikato electorate, has links to the kingitanga movement and experience in minor ministerial portfolios.

She moved to the backbench in a caucus reshuffle, after giving birth to her son.

Victoria University Maori academic Maria Bargh told Fairfax what the Labour Party really needed to win back Maori votes was better policy.

“At the moment that’s the main thing they’re lacking.

“I think that’s more needed than putting someone up as a face for Maori.”

Mr Tamihere says former Labour minister Shane Jones is a better choice for deputy leader, despite his unsuccessful campaign in Tamaki Makaura.

However, Ms Bargh said his recent comments about not wanting the leadership may work against him.

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Comments

03 Dec 2011 01:47p.m.

shelly wrote:

plunket would not dare ? key like he did this labour mp he is far to gutless for that . he would be to scared key would make a call to the cops , or one of his rich and powerful mates and have you fired . the media is frightend of key .

03 Dec 2011 12:27p.m.

Graham wrote:

It's amazing that Tamihere is still getting airtime!

03 Dec 2011 09:18a.m.

Bruce wrote:

Classic! All fighting with each other already and it has just begun! I suggest if we want to take on National we better look further afield because no one thus far impresses.

02 Dec 2011 08:21p.m.

Deane wrote:

John Tamihere is just plain wrong. I have known Mahuta for many years. She has made a hugh contribution to iwi and the Waikato. She remained loyal to Labour after the split between Maori MPs over the Seabed and Foreshore Bill. She has tiredlessly worked hard in all campaigns and represented her people through some hard times. She remained loyal with Labour when Tamihere foolishly bad mouth the then PM to a Tory journalist, spat the dummy and left Labour like a bitter school boy. So, yes she deserves to be nominated, I do not see any sinister motive in it at all. Unlike the Maori party, who leaders resign after they get elected. At least with Labour iwi gets certainty, with the Maori party, they are like a chocolate box, you don,t know what you will get until you open the box.

02 Dec 2011 08:00p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

David Cunliffe is too self-serving.He is a joke to put it mildly.I know the guy and wouldn't trust him as far as I would like to throw him. He showed his true self-serving colours by not helping out his soon to be former Leader Phil Goff at a crucial part of the election campaign.Instead I believe he called in sick and left Phil Goff to take the heat.So if this the antics he par-takes of now then it is likely he will not be all that interested in NZers in his scheme of things.I also think his actions,if wanting to be Labour Leader, has been his long-term goal. It is likely he will not care whom he tramples upon in his quest to be in the top job. He may well consider himself, rather egotistically, as being a big fish in a little pond where the Labour Party is concerned.

02 Dec 2011 07:57p.m.

trish wrote:

Cunliffe is an attack dog and does his homework,i have watched parliament and he is just the answer to key's arrogance.
The right are panicing and at every chance they get they slam mahuta or cunliffe and support shearer,it is so obvious,its laughable.
The key team is also voting on media sites to put shearer way ahead of cunliffe.Give it up lads and lasses.

02 Dec 2011 05:56p.m.

katrina wrote:

Maori are so rascist even against their own people. A white skin person would never be able to get away with that sort insult. Yet again one rule for Maori and one for White Euro. If Labour didn't choose a Maori MP then they would be accused of be qhite supremist and not catering to Maori.

02 Dec 2011 05:16p.m.

Memo wrote:

If Shane Jones was to become any more relevant than present it would spell disaster for the Labour Party. He is by nature a rude and crude character and his uncharismatic domineering manner would soon upset the punters!!
Mr Tamihere doesn’t have any significance in these proceedings and should leave things run there course!!

Definitely a bad choice!!

02 Dec 2011 03:48p.m.

Geoff wrote:

An inspired choice I suggest. Personally I would like the two David's still in the race to be a team. As for Shane Jones, are you joking? what credibility he has left with the voters is both suspect and tenuous. Labour needs to change, and maybe the old vanguard, including ex-MP's, need to get out of the way.