Photo: Supplied.
With Heather Te-Au Skipworth having stepped aside from the Māori seat of Ikaroa-Rāwhiti to allow her cousin Meka Whaitiri to take her place, she has instead turned her sights on Tukituki.
Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere confirmed Skipworth would be the party's Tukituki candidate in a statement this morning.
It makes Skipworth the first candidate for a seat on the general roll the party has announced.
She had previously been confirmed for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat, but backed out after Meka Whaitiri defected to Te Pāti Māori from Labour in early May.
Skipworth said the decision had been a "no-brainer".
"I was born in Hastings and raised in Pakipaki. The people here know me; they know I am a hard worker, and they also know of the IRONMĀORI kaupapa I created and how it has helped change and save thousands of people's lives."
She said with Tukituki sitting within the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti boundaries, she and Meka would be able to support one another.
"I am looking forward to working with her, particularly in advocating for our whānau who are still wearing the impacts of the cyclone and ensuring that the government hears our voices loud and clear."
As well as Skipworth and Whaitiri, the party has also confirmed co-leaders Rawiri Waititi would campaign to retain his Waiariki seat, and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer will try again to take Te Tai Hauāuru.
The party has also put forward Takutai Moana Kemp for Tāmaki Makaurau, and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi for Te Tai Tokerau.