24 Jun 2013

Poor social media use for Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidates - society

8:48 am on 24 June 2013

The Maori Internet Society says the candidates for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election aren't making the most of social media to raise their profiles.

The seat became vacant on the death of Labour MP Parekura Horomia in April and the by-election takes place on 29 June.

Seven candidates are standing: Na Raihania of the Maori Party, Labour's Meka Whaitiri, Marama Davidson of the Greens, the Mana Party's Te Hamua Nikora and Michael Appleby for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.

There are also two independent candidates - Adam Holland and Maurice Wairau. National and New Zealand First are not contesting the seat.

Maori Internet Society chairperson Karaitiana Taiuru says some candidates are using Twitter and Facebook, but hardly enough considering the power social media has to reach people.

He says Facebook, Twitter, photo sharing sites, LinkedIn and YouTube should be used together, and accessed through the candidates' own websites to boost communication and get their message across.

Mr Taiuru says Marama Davidson and Te Hamua Nikora are best at using social media so far.