30 May 2012

MP says rival made false claim on Facebook

6:33 am on 30 May 2012

Labour MP for Te Tai Tonga, Rino Tirikatene, says the politician from whom he took the Southern Maori seat has been promoting herself as the region's member of Parliament.

Until Tuesday, Rahui Katene of the Maori Party billed herself as the MP for Te Tai Tonga on her Facebook page - despite losing the electorate last year.

On Monday Mrs Katene said Christchurch constituents are still coming to her for help with earthquake issues.

Mr Tirikatene says he complained about what he calls false advertising on Facebook.

He says she was fielding earthquake inquiries because she was advertising herself as the MP for Te Tai Tonga.

Mr Tirikatene says Rahui Katene is unelected and is trying to remain relevant.

He says he raised the matter with Parliament's Office of the Speaker.

The reference to Te Tai Tonga has now been removed from Mrs Katene's Facebook page