Rangi McLean, an advisor for Health Provider Hāpai Te Hauora, is running for Manurewa-Papakura's Local Board and now he's gunning to stand yet again in the general election.
“I'm ready spiritually, mentally and physically,” says McLean.
Although McLean has expressed his interest, Māori Party Tāmaki Makaurau Electorate Co-Chair George Ngātai says calls for nominations are yet to open.
“At this time, the National Council has our selection process,” says Ngati, “Once that's actually been given the stamp, then we start advertising, and then once we start advertising for candidates we will go through the selection process from there, and whoever the successful candidate is, we'll probably make the announcement within the next three months.”
McLean secured the Māori Party candidacy for that region in 2014, but he lost against Labour's Peeni Henare.
Meanwhile, McLean says he's not the only person seeking the nod. He says an advisor to the Minister for Māori Development, Shane Taurima, is also seeking to do the same.
“I told him that I'm okay with his intention to put his name forward,” says McLean, “However, the final decision lies with the party members on who they would like to represent them.”
Taurima declined to make comment and Ngātai wouldn't confirm whether members of the Māori Party had approached Mr Taurima to seek a nomination to stand.
“At this time, we haven't received a nomination for Shane,” says Ngati, “We've had lots of interest and until we call for nominations and until we close off those nominations we can't confirm anybody as yet.”
Ngātai says calls for nominations are set to open in three weeks.