2011 Te Tai Tokerau by-election

Background

On 23 February 2011, following an ongoing rift with fellow members of the Māori Party, Hone Harawira resigned from the party after the party's disciplinary committee recommended his expulsion. Harawira announced his new Mana Party on 30 April 2011, also stating that he intended to resign from parliament to force a by-election before the coming 2011 general election.

After generating several days of media interest and criticism, Harawira announced on 4 May 2011 that he was delaying his resignation in order to consult his supporters in his electorate. On 11 May 2011 Harawira wrote to the Speaker of the House resigning from parliament, with effect from 20 May 2011. On 12 May 2011 the prime minister, John Key, announced that the by-election would be held on 25 June.

Reception

Many politicians and political commentators criticised the by-election because it would occur so close to the general election. Under New Zealand law, a by-election will not be held if there will be a general election within the next six months and 75% of MPs agree not to hold the by-election. So if Harawira had resigned later than 26 May then the by-election may not have occurred.

Harawira defended the by-election, which cost an estimated $500,000, saying "It's hardly an expense in terms of democracy".

Comparison to previous by-elections

The New Zealand political blogging community viewed some aspects of the by-election as being very similar to the 1993 Tauranga by-election. That by-election was held on 17 April and the subsequent general election on 7 November, after Winston Peters resigned first from the National Party, following disagreements with its leadership, and then as an MP in order to seek a "fresh mandate" for his views. The Tauranga by-election was labelled by media and opposing parties as a 'Publicity stunt', as was this by-election.

Claire Trevett of The New Zealand Herald saw Harawira's resignation to force the election as "a direct echo" of Tariana Turia's resignation to force the 2004 Te Tai Hauauru by-election. However, Turia resigned 14 months before the 2005 New Zealand general election, and the by-election took place at a time when the election date had not been set. Harawira's by-election took place within six months of a general election.

Candidates

Five candidates stood in the by-election. Replacing Hone Harawira, who had left to stand for the Mana Party, the Māori Party selected Solomon Tipene as its candidate, choosing him over Waihoroi Shortland and Mere Mangu, who were also considered for the nomination.

Kelvin Davis stood for the Labour Party. He had contested the seat for Labour since 2008, and Davis would eventually beat Harawira for the seat in 2014.

Kelvyn Alp contested the by-election for the OurNZ Party and Maki Herbert stood for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.

Results

Counting commenced at 7:00pm on election day, with preliminary results due by 10:00pm. Official results were declared on Wednesday 6 July 2011. With 32,855 people enrolled to vote, turnout was 37.56%.

References

References

1. Hill, Marika. (2011-04-30). "Hone Harawira launches new party". Stuff.
2. (11 May 2011). "Harawira resigns from Parliament".
3. (2011-05-12). "Te Tai Tokerau byelection date announced". The New Zealand Herald.
4. (23 February 2011). "Harawira out of Maori Party". ONE News.
5. Hill, Marika. (2011-04-30). "Hone Harawira launches new party". Stuff.
6. (2011-05-04). "Financial windfall if MP re-elected". The New Zealand Herald.
7. (2011-05-02). "Harawira's resignation a 'stunt' – PM". The New Zealand Herald.
8. (2011-05-04). "Harawira seeking advice on by-election". Scoop.
9. (2011-05-03). "Harawira delays resignation". The New Zealand Herald.
10. (11 May 2011). "Harawira resigns from Parliament".
11. (2011-05-12). "Te Tai Tokerau byelection date announced". The New Zealand Herald.
12. Powley, Kathryn. (2011-05-01). "Mana Party's $500,000 bill". [[APN News & Media]].
13. (14 September 1999). "Peters – Alliance Sold Soul For Plastic Promises". New Zealand First Party.
14. (2005-09-17). "Tauranga lost but Peters still there". [[TVNZ Interactive]].
15. (2011-05-04). "Harawira delays resignation". The New Zealand Herald.
16. Trevett, Claire. (2011-04-28). "Harawira weighs up forcing early vote". [[APN News & Media]].
17. Chapman, Kate. (10 May 2011). "Harawira seat likely three-way contest". [[Stuff.co.nz]].
18. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00399/solomon-tipene-a-man-who-can-deliver-for-te-tai-tokerau.htm Solomon Tipene : A Man who can deliver for Te Tai Tokerau] Press Release: Māori Party (via Scoop.co.nz), 25 May 2011
19. (2011-05-25). "Candidate keen to stabilise electorate". Waatea603am.co.nz}}{{Dead link.
20. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1105/S00355/maori-party-close-to-announcing-candidate-for-te-tai-tokera.htm Maori Party Close to Announcing Candidate for Te Tai Tokerau] ''scoop.co.nz'', 22 May 2011
21. (14 May 2011). "Kelvyn Alp To Contest Te Tai Tokerau By-Election". Press Release: OurNZ Party (via Scoop.co.nz).
22. [http://www.elections.org.nz/study/news/te-tai-tokerau-by-election-candidates-announced.html Te Tai Tokerau by-election candidates announced] {{Webarchive. link. (6 June 2011 ''elections.org.nz'', 31 May 2011)
23. (2011-07-06). "2011 Te Tai Tokerau by election stats". New Zealand Electoral Commission.