Staff Reporter
Auckland, February 9, 2020
Kris Faafoi has announced that he will give up his Mana electorate seat in favour of new Labour Member of Parliament in the general election 2020.
He will instead contest as a List Candidate in the upcoming polls on September 19, 2020.
Mr Faafoi is a Cabinet Minister holding the portfolios of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Government Digital Services and responsibilities for Housing as Associate Minister will have a safe ranking to enable him to return to Parliament after the general election.
The Mana electorate, which is to the North of Wellington was created in 1996.
Mr Faafoi issued the following Statement:
Electorate for new talent
The decision to run as a List candidate has been made with a heavy heart but creates space for new talent to come through at the election. I have loved every second of representing the people of Mana, but now is a good time to bring a fresh candidate through to bolster the Labour team in Parliament.
I will continue to be a strong advocate for the people of Mana right up until the next Labour candidate is elected here on Election Day and beyond.
Over the last ten years, it has been a huge privilege to serve the people of Mana. I know that they will be well served by my replacement.
Slice of Heaven
I am committed to this Government continuing its bold and ambitious programme of work after the election to help all New Zealanders benefit from the opportunities this wonderful country has to give. I believe that I continue to have something to offer the next Government hence I will be on the Party List.
I want to thank the people of Mana for their trust in me over the past ten years. From Linden, in the South, the beautiful Titahi Bay, the vibrancy of Porirua East, Northern Porirua, which I call home, to the south of the Kapiti Coast, each community has a heart of battlers looking after their slice of heaven.
I want to thank them for their faith in me and reaffirm that, while I may be calling time as an electorate MP, I have not knocked off yet and, if I am returned to Parliament, I will be a supporting voice for the next MP for Mana and a dedicated advocate of the Government’s work to help New Zealanders realise their goals and aspirations.
