Mother and son make Manurewa politics personal

A family duo is taking on the Manurewa Local Board in this month’s local body election.

Tanya Kaihe and her son Harley Kaihe-Katterns are contesting the board under It’s Worth it Manurewa, alongside Auckland Rugby League director Greg Whaiapu.

This attempt is the first time the pair, of Ngāpuhi descent, have entered Auckland politics, with the idea stemming from a family kōrero.

“We just thought we want to have more of a say,” said Ms Kaihe. They are focused on informing the people of Manurewa about local body politics, something they stressed the need for.

“So many [Manurewa residents] just don’t even know what the local board is or what it does,” said Mr Kaihe-Katterns.

“We need to educate the local community about what the local board is and then engage them and ask ‘well what do you want it to do for you?’”

It’s Worth it Manurewa’s policies focus on supporting residents through education, training and jobs, as well as prioritising funding to the area.

Mr Kaihe-Katterns is a programme director at Whakatakapokai, the Manurewa Child, Youth and Family care and protection residence. Ms Kaihe is a former social worker currently learning te reo Māori.

The pair noted there would be both positives and negatives to having two family members on the board, but ultimately did not think it would be an issue.

“At the end of the day we share a lot of similarities on things but if I don’t agree with [her], I’m going to say and vice versa,” said Mr Kaihe-Katterns.

“I’m accountable to the community. They’re the voice that I listen to.”

Judith Tizard, a former Auckland MP and Labour minister whose parents were both widely known in local and national politics, said the family element could be a benefit.

“Generally I think you tend to share your values with your family so if your family is supporting you it makes it easier.”

She said family links can be used to “hammer you” so it is important to stay focused on your goals.

Auckland mayoral candidate Chlöe Swarbrick did not believe there was a “huge point” to be made out of the pair’s relationship.

“Obviously they just want to represent their community and it just so happens that they’re mother and son. They could just as easily be friends.”

Ms Kaihe and Mr Kaihe-Katterns hoped to both make it on to the board, but said they would be supportive of each other if just one made it.