Labour has moved to strengthen its links with the Ratana Church, inviting its leaders to a meeting in Parliament.
Party
leader David Shearer made the offer at Ratana Pa near Whanganui on
Tuesday at the annual celebration commemorating the birthday of the
movement's founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
He formed the movement in 1925 and it had close ties with Labour which have weakened over the last two decades.
Although
the church doesn't tell its members how to vote, politicians make an
annual pilgrimage to Ratana Pa to bid for its influential support.
"We
would like to talk about how we go forward together, it can't be
achieved in one day once a year," Mr Shearer told the gathering after
being welcomed on the marae at the head of a delegation of his MPs.
His gesture was welcomed by members of the church's executive committee.
Prime
Minister John Key arrived with a group of ministers and entered the
marae alongside Maori Party leader Pita Sharples, who is his minister of
Maori affairs.
The church is reported to have about 60,000 followers and says they make up their own minds about which party to support.
Also
on the marae was Hone Harawira, the leader of the Mana Party who was
backed by Northland Ratana members in the November general election.
Green Party leaders were there as well, and New Zealand First's Winston Peters intends visiting on Wednesday.
NZN