Independent Tukituki candidate withdraws to back Labour

Independent Tukituki candidate Kaleb Hawkins has withdrawn from the election race, saying he wants to unite his supporters behind Labour’s Dan Scott.

The 25-year-old announced his decision on Thursday, hours before the noon nomination deadline and three days after taking part in a candidates’ debate at the Havelock North Function Centre.

Speaking to Hawke’s Bay News, Hawkins said New Zealand First’s party list announcement, which placed Tukituki candidate Taine Randell ninth, had helped prompt his decision.

“If I’m continuing to contest, it means that essentially I’m dividing or taking a piece of the pie. Because obviously there’ll be voters and supporters there, which I have.”

He said he wanted a change of government and believed stepping aside would help Scott, 22, who is challenging National MP Catherine Wedd in the November 7 election.

“And so if me leaving a piece of the pie, so to speak, in the pot will then mean that others can benefit from that, which is Dan and overall Tukituki, well then I’m more than willing to do that.”

Hawkins said withdrawing had not been on his mind at Monday night’s debate. New Zealand First’s list release was one factor in his decision and had accelerated it.

“That’s what sort of, I guess, pushed it faster. But there’s a lot of policies that Dan can bring to Tukituki from Labour that actually support Māori people in this area.”

Hawkins said he had personally phoned Scott to tell him of his decision.

“It was an easy decision because I have confidence in Dan that he’s going to do a good job. I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t have confidence in him.”

Hawkins said he believed the next government should be Labour-led.

“I know some people will disagree with me. That’s democracy, and I respect that. But I would rather be honest with the people who supported me than continue a campaign simply because I want to see my own name on the ballot.”

Hawkins served sentences of imprisonment and home detention for serious violence offences committed in 2020 and 2022. He says he has since turned his life around.

“Essentially, I’ve had to do a bit of growing, and I’ve done that. And so that’s led me to where I am here today, I guess.”

Hawkins said some supporters had expressed disappointment at his withdrawal.

“So just really hoping people can see the advantage that they now have rather than focusing on me departing, if that makes sense.”

He said his businesses would keep him busy, but he still had about a month’s worth of events booked and wanted to use those engagements to support Scott.

Hawkins said he had been approached about joining a political party, which he declined to identify, but wanted to remain independent.

“But just because I don’t want to join a party doesn’t mean I will hide my support for a party that I believe are doing good things.”

Hawkins said he still saw a future for himself in politics.

“I don’t believe that this is the end of my political journey. I still believe I will be involved in politics at some point.”

Hawke's Bay News has approched Catherine Wedd for Comment.