Maori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan says their general seat candidates are a reminder you don't have to be Maori to vote for the party.

Wendy Biddle is their latest candidate announcement, and will be running in the Rotorua electorate for this election.

"We're excited to have Wendy on board our campaign. The work she has and does for our people, including, homeless whanau, is to be admired and respected,” says Tukoroirangi.

"There's a saying that when you educate a man, you educate a man but that when you educate a woman, you educate a generation. And if we're to ensure that we eliminate homelessness and poverty in this country, then we need staunch and passionate woman like Wendy.”

Wendy is a Te Koutu resident and is married to local broadcaster Kingi Biddle. They have four tamariki and three mokopuna. Wendy is a kohanga reo office manager and is active in advocating for the communities she works in.

'I want to be the voice for those who feel disempowered by the system,” says Wendy.

'I have witnessed many people struggling and it's not only the ones that live on the streets. I've witnessed elderly and beneficiaries being ignored. Working families struggling to put kai on the table and areas in the health sector that fall short of caring well for their patients because the budget is at the forefront of the decision making.

'The Maori Party and I are committed to ensuring that all people of Rotorua are served under the guiding principles of manaakitanga and rangatiratanga.”

Tukoroirangi says the Maori Party is standing 15 candidates so far in general seats throughout the country.

'This is a timely reminder that even non- Maori can vote Maori Party. We are a party for Aotearoa which seeks the wellbeing for all peoples of this land.”