Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, 21 November 2022
Tama Potaka with Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi in Hamilton (Photo supplied)
National Party Candidate for the upcoming Hamilton West by-election, Tama Potaka has been interacting with the members of the community with constructive dialogue on the needs of the constituents and how Hamilton can move forward in the right direction, at the right pace.
He recently attended the Annual Sikh Games and the BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Mandir, both in Te Rapa, Hamilton, along with former National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi.
The events, held over the weekend, provided an opportunity to the members of the Indian community to express their concerns.
Seniors members of community welcome Tama Potaka at Te Rapa event
Mr Bakshi was optimistic about Mr Potaka’s candidacy.
“Tama knows the community well. He understands the people and their challenges. He knows the on-ground requirements and is the most approachable person I know,” he told Indian Newslink.
Mr Bakshi claimed that National Party MPs in Hamilton have always achieved great landmarks for the City and Mr Potaka would be a great addition to that list and would guarantee to be a strong voice of the region.
“While National MPs initiated the expressway connection between Hamilton and Auckland, Labour Party’s inheritance has been a crime surge, soft stance on offenders and the rail connection between Hamilton and Auckland which is incommodious and hardly being used by the community,” he said.
Mr Potaka said, “The Indian community has been very receptive to National Party’s message. People are worried over the safety of their Whanau and businesses. They are concerned about the law-and-order condition of the city and rightly so. It is crucial that we draw a line around repeat offending by Youth, create a safer community and empower our businesses to function with confidence,” he said, during an informal conversation with this Reporter.
Tama Potaka welcomed at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Hamilton
Mr Potaka said that that National Party has the required pathways and ready to implement them.
“I urge every person to use their voting power and send a message to the government that things need to change. I have worked closely with many Indian businesses that operate in the city, and they have been very supportive in our discussions. They need solutions. They need to feel safe and they need someone to guarantee that their contribution matters,” he said.
Mr Potaka said that as a resident of Hamilton for ten years, he knows the city well and hopes to carry forward the legacy of good work done by previous National Party MPs in the Hamilton East and Hamilton West. He emphasised the need for a safer community.
He is passionate about Health, safety of Whanau and businesses, Education as well as the growth potential of the city.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
