Election 2023 - Getting Candid: Karl Mokaraka, Vision NZ candidate for Panmure Ōtāhuhu

Basic bio info:

What's your age? 46

Which suburb do you live in? Otahuhu (Middlemore Hospital)

How many children do you have? 4

What's your ethnic background? Samoan/Māori & great, great grandmother was Tongan

What made you want to get into politics?

Politics is about getting results & positive outcomes for our people. After 20 years of working with families it concerned me deeply that families in our electorate have gone backwards in home ownership, health & wealth. The data has worsen for us under both National & Labour. We are ranked as one of NZs most deprived general electorates.

What's your plan or strategy to win a seat?

I am known as the man over the fence who interrupted Chris Luxon & interrupted PM Chris Hipkins at Ōtara Markets. I am speaking up for our forgotten electorate & trying to show I am someone who is passionate about getting results for our communities & will fight for our people as politicians have forgotten our electorate

Who inspires you?

Jesus Christ was the ultimate man who was strong, masculine but yet tender & compassionate. He crossed cultural, religious,social stereotypes racial & gender barriers

What are the key issues facing people in your area?

Housing & Cost of living, Law & Order

Pathways to home ownership & housing not fit for purpose to suit our multi generational families.

The costs of living is hurting our families and have seen children sacrificing their education to help support meet the basics necessities like rent & food.

I had visited businesses who were affected by ramraids & held up, I have been working with men & addressing root cause of family breakdown.

What's your favourite place to eat or get a drink in your area?

Hansan in Panmure is a family favourite

The Food court in Otahuhu is great spot for lunch

Ōtara Markets is my go to for breakfast on Saturdays

What's your message to the voters in your electorate or those that you're targeting for the party vote?

Freedoms NZ is a party who wants to strengthen & prosper all Families & make our communities safe again. We oppose Abortion, Gender Identity education & euthanasia. We want to entrench the Bill of rights & free speech.

We want all Panmure-Otahuhu electorate families to prosper, rise & thrive.