Rotorua lawyer Annette Sykes is to be the Mana Party candidate for the Waiariki Electorate.

She was nominated unopposed, and is endorsed by Mana's national executive as the candidate for Waiariki.

Annette Sykes.

Annette's campaign launch takes place at Otaramarae on the shores of Lake Rotoiti at 2pm today.

'The task of taking the seat has already begun and I can't wait to hit the campaign trail and take the Mana movement's message to the people,” says Annette.

'The endorsement will be a rally for Mana and another opportunity to expound on the socially progressive and economically responsible policies that Mana will pursue in the next Parliament.”

Annette will be addressing her ‘flax roots' branches this week, outlining her reasons for standing, and how she intends to live up to what she hopes will be a strong mandate.

Waiariki covers the wider Bay of Plenty region from Waihi Beach to Cape Runaway and encompassing the Taupo region including Turangi.

Major centres in the electorate include Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane and Taupo.

The incumbent is Maori Party MP Te Uruora Flavell.

Annette was raised in Kawerau and works in Rotorua as a partner in Aurere Law.

Annette has been practising as a lawyer since 1984, and was defence counsel for the ‘Uruwera 17', 13 of whom recently had firearms laid as a result of 2007 ‘terror raids', dismissed.

'Others in a position of power – like the Maori Party – did little to help them in their time of need, so my efforts will continue if elected,” says Annette.

Annette is co-vice president of the Mana movement.

She took Hone Harawira's side when the Maori Party ejected him out earlier this year following the foreshore and seabed compromise with National.

'They betrayed us,” says Annette.

'Not just with continuing the confiscation of the foreshore and seabed but with allying with National to put up GST to 15 per cent and the many other anti-Maori and anti-worker policies they have meekly gone along with.

'They sided with National rather than with their own people – to me that's unforgivable. 'The impotence of the Maori Party when our own navy was used against the oil drilling protesters to protect a foreign multinational, Petrobras, was particularly appalling.

'I felt personally let down by Te Ururoa Flavell as I was once a backer of his; but not anymore.”

Mana Leader Hone Harawira says he can't wait for Annette to enter Parliament.

'Annette is intense and passionate,” says Hone.

'She is hard working, smart and fierce – an awesome combination.”

'The message is a vote for Te Ururoa is a vote for National – and a vote for National is a vote to sell the family silver.

'One thing Annette is known for and that's never selling out. She is as staunch as they come. She will make a superb MP.”