The fight over the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate is on and it's effectively a three-horse race.
The front runners for the Labour Party candidacy are a political broadcast journalist, a man who's fostered more than 200 children and a chief executive who's picked up a celebrity endorsement.
Ikaroa-Rawhiti has always been held by Parekura Horomia. His death last month was a huge loss for the electorate and finding a successor is a challenge.
Labour has six nominees, but there can be only one winner to go through to the by-election on June 29.
"There's no guarantees for anybody, I can absolutely guarantee that," says Labour leader David Shearer.
Of the six candidates, there are three front-runners. Broadcast journalist Shane Taurima was a wildcard late entry in the race.
"It's not money and it's not fame, what this is about is me putting my hand up and saying it would be an absolute privilege to represent our people," says Mr Taurima.
Local councillor Henare O'Keefe is active in the community and his work with young people extends to fostering more than 200 children.
"The buckets full of tears that have cascaded down my cheeks when dealing with our people, I've lost track of that," says Mr O'Keefe.
Like almost all the Maori electorates, Ikaroa-Rawhiti is massive, stretching the length of the East Coast from Gisborne to Wainuiomata.
Labour candidate Hayden Hape is based in Dannevirke. He is an online poker maestro and great-grandson of a professional wrestler known as the 'Maori Giant'.
"I think people should vote for me because I am them - I know who they are," says Mr Hape.
It wasn't just Parekura Horomia's politics people voted for in Ikaroa-Rawhiti - they voted for Parekura the man.
But still Labour's majority was huge at the last election - more then 6000 votes - so this Sunday's winner is virtually guaranteed the seat.
3 News
source: newshub archive
