Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been welcomed onto a Rotorua marae with an impressive powhiri today.
Mr Coffey wants people with "their ears to the ground" to help him keep on top of things. (Source: Other)
Ms Ardern was joined at the Te Papaiouru Marae by a group of fellow Labour MPs, including Tamati Coffey, Kelvin Davis and Willow-Jean Prime.
Political Showdown puts politicians from different sides of the House together, getting them to ask each other the big questions of the week. (Source: Other)
Mr Coffey used the visit to talk about his idea to listen to community leaders from different iwi in the Maori electorate so the needs of the people are met in the large regions.
"You understand the size of the Maori electorate is huge, to be able to really keep your ear to the ground you need a bit of infrastructure in there to make sure you have people there that can inform you.
"So what we've done is put the call out to a few people around the iwi, not necessarily Labour supporters but just people who are pragmatic and want to help me be supported in my role as the MP," Mr Coffey said.
He says the initiative is part of the government's new way of doing things. Ms Ardern also gave the plan her support while speaking to media at the marae.
SHARE ME