Labour’s Manukau East candidate selection

• mickysavage
• 10 years ago
• Categories: election 2014, labour, Politics

The selection for the Labour Candidate for the Manukau East seat is being held today.  The nomination is heavily contested and there are a number of candidates who could perform the job well.  Of course there can be only one winner but hopefully for the unsuccessful other opportunities will arise.

Candidates include:

1.  Jerome Mika, a union organiser and the party’s 2011 candidate in Papakura where he performed well.  He would provide much needed organisational strength to the area and has a strong background in the party. He is one of the serious contenders.
2.  Lydia Sosene.  She is the chair of the Mangere Otahuhu Local Board, is well regarded locally, and has extensive links into the local community.  I would regard her as having a good chance of success.
3.  Sunny Kaushal.  He was Labour’s Pakuranga candidate at the last election.  He is a very seasoned campaigner and works hard for the party.
4.  Efu Koka.  He is a previous Manukau City Council and has been active locally for many years.  I would rank him as one of the front runners.
5.  Anahilia Suisuiki.  She has worked hard for the party both locally and regionally and has strong links to the Tongan Community and Labour’s pacifica sector.
6.  Efeso Collins.  He is the chair of the Otara Papatoetoe Local Board and topped the poll at the last election.  He blogs on the Daily Blog and has one of the most amazing campaign videos I have seen.  It is here for everyone to enjoy.  I would rank him as a prospect for the seat and if not this seat then his talents have to be put to use somewhere else.
7.  Jenny Salesa.  She is a lawyer and a member of the Tongan community.  I have not met her but her CV is impressive and she has skills which could be very useful in Parliament.
8. Nhorrie Dillon.  Again she is someone I have not met but she has business background and experience which could be helpful for the party.

Update:  And Jenny Selesa has been selected.  She gave the second best speech IMHO and she has skills that will be very useful to Labour in the next Parliament.