Mon 31 Mar 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Gay Labour candidate Tamati Coffey says his selection in was “never a given”. The high-profile former TV host says he had to compete against some great nominees in Rotorua. “That’s what democracy is all about and that’s what Labour is all about,” he says, apparently in response to talk on social media that he always had the nomination in the bag. “Now it’s game-on in Rotorua. This seat is officially up for grabs and I want to take it" Coffey will run against National MP Todd McClay, who has had the seat since 2008. It was held by Labour's Steve Chadwick from 1999 till 2008. “I want to be Rotorua’s voice in Parliament as Labour delivers on its plans for more local jobs, for the revitalisation of forestry and for the best start for Rotorua’s kids and tamariki”. The 34-year-old revealed just a few weeks ago that his true passion is politics and that he was ready to leave his TV career behind and embark on a career in Parliament. Coffey graduated with an honours degree in political science before he became a TV presenter. He’s worked on What Now, Breakfast, New Zealand’s Got Talent and briefly as a fill-in on Seven Sharp. He also won Dancing With the Stars and gave his winnings to Auckland’s Rainbow Youth.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 31st March 2014 - 9:09am