Labour moving in on Maori Party

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Labour moving in on Maori Party

3News NZ

Labour leader David Shearer has stayed on at Ratana for a second day - laying down a direct challenge to the Maori Party.

Politicians don't tend to stick around for the final day of Ratana celebration but this year Mr Shearer knew he had to to add clout to his declaration of war.

“The Maori seats are up for grabs and we're going to be going for broke to get them,” he says.

Labour's determined to retake all seven Maori electorate seats which would effectively destroy the Maori Party.

Labour currently holds three of the seven Maori electorates, the same as the Maori Party. Hone Harawira's Mana Party has just the one. Come 2014, Labour's convinced it will win the lot.

But the Maori Party has set down a challenge of its own, saying Labour won't be able to govern without it

“They haven't come through the speed wobbles in fact if they looked at the polls they've got more worries than we have,” says Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Maori Party has its own troubles. First an ongoing leadership struggle but also a perception among some at Ratana - and throughout Maoridom - aren't thrilled with its alliance with National.

So not only has Labour chosen the Maori Party's patch to lay down the gauntlet, it's chosen to strike when the party's at its weakest

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Comments

27/01/2013 8:49:48 a.m.

katubaldy wrote:

Mend the old wounds and get back on board with the Maori Party. Otherwise it's more of the same for Labour. The Maori party is often maligned but always a critical player in the balance of power when the next govt is formed. My feeling is, when Tariana Turia ends her political career, the links between National and Maori will weaken significantly....too bad the PM wanted to treat them with utter contempt last year. Not good politics to bash your supporters in public Joe Key. Roll on 2014.

27/01/2013 6:49:23 a.m.

RA wrote:

Its a good call by David Shearer , lets be out in the open about it , now people can vote knowing that the Maori party will if they get the votes support the National party .

26/01/2013 4:28:45 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

@Craig what a laugh you have just given me.. coveting the same people.... the same people that National is currently coveting lol Hypocritical much?.

26/01/2013 2:00:33 p.m.

Bruce wrote:

I can't help thinking the Maori Party has bought on any difficulties with its supporters themselves. Prior to the introduction of the Maori Party into NZs political arena. The majority of Maori had always been Labour Party supporters. For the Maori Party to sidle up with National must be seen as a slap in the face to Maori

26/01/2013 10:28:28 a.m.

Braam wrote:

Who is this dude? Why is he on the main page? Socialist much?

26/01/2013 9:46:25 a.m.

Craig wrote:

So Labour would rather covert the members of a heretical cult then real voters who vote for the issues and not who they are told to.

25/01/2013 11:24:51 p.m.

kia kaha wrote:

The Maori Party know what to do if they want to redeem themselves - stop supporting John Key and start representing their people.