After an extremely busy and fruitful campaign, Labour MP and candidate for Waikato-Rangitikei alpine- stopped to take time and relax with Gisborne residents and iwi at a local hāngi.

"Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

"Thank you everyone for having me here today. As I hope you all know--

Communal laughter

"--I'm alpine-, Labour MP for the Waikato-Rangitikei electorate. I'm a bit out of place, talking to you here today in the Bay of Plenty, but this region really is so beautiful regardless of where the boundaries are. It may be too late to sway every one of you to Labour, hell, I hope you've all already voted! Before we dig into this well-prepared kai, let me delve somewhat into Labour's policy on Te Reo Māori.

"Labour, in collaboration with the Māori party, has supported and amended the Compulsory Te Reo Māori Bill. This legislation will better implement a Te Reo Māori curriculum into primary and secondary schools. We have done this because we fundamentally believe our culture and our heritage are vital to our national identity.

"Especially in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty electorates, where Te Reo Māori is more wide-spoken, I believe allowing for our children to engage in Māori culture will become a strength of our country compared to others worldwide. Māori is what separates us from others, and it's what many recognise as from New Zealand - so it makes sense for us to foster and nurture what makes us so special.

"Today is a special day for the Bay's biculturalism; when local iwi celebrate Māori achievement with Pākehā like me! Tomorrow, however, is an even bigger day - so for all of you who have not yet voted, I urge you to two ticks Labour. I can't guarantee that opposition parties will be as welcoming and understanding of Māori culture and issues in Government.

"It's been an amazing campaign, and I hope you and the public and enjoyed coming for the ride with me, and with the Labour Party. Ka kite anō!"

alpine- then bit her teeth into a pig's calf, sculled a jug of beer, and gossiped with Māori iwi about their personal lives.