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Maori Party leadership change within weeks

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Fri, 02 Dec 2011 9:38a.m.

Tariana Turia

Tariana Turia

The Maori Party could have a new leadership within weeks, with MP Te Ururoa Flavell expected to take over from co-leader Pita Sharples.

Both Dr Sharples and co-leader Tariana Turia are planning to retire before the next election in 2014, and the party is already working to set up a new leadership team.

The party's co-vice president Ken Mair says it will be up to members to decide who takes over and when, with a special general meeting to be held in the next few weeks.

"Our people will give us clear direction in regard to where we head in regard to co-leadership and a succession plan," he told Radio New Zealand.

"Our people will make the call in regard to whether it's going to be sooner or later."

Mr Mair would not comment on speculation Mr Flavell would take over, saying he did not want to pre-empt the membership's decision.

The Maori Party is working on a support agreement with National, which is likely to be signed next week, but it's unclear whether a new leadership would be in place by then.

Mr Flavell could become minister of Maori affairs, a position Dr Sharples has held for the last three years.

The party's three MPs all hold electorate seats, and if Dr Sharples or Mrs Turia left parliament before the next election there would have to be by-elections.

Mr Mair said the party was not thinking about a by-election in either co-leader's seat.

NZN

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Comments

02 Dec 2011 02:49p.m.

The Honest Truth wrote:

@bOb the hate you describe quote 'race based party in general + the hand outs' of which I agree with is the price we as a single nation pay, for total power and control while continuing to desolve the Maori nation, a tucked away, rarely mentioned, hidden, independent state here in Gods Zone New Zealand.

The alternative however is to continue to recognise the Maori Nation as an Independent State and willingly relinquish the following,

1) return all illegally stolen resources i.e. land, power and control from iwi back to iwi

2) Bring the perpetrators and/or modern day representatives to justice for justice to be served.

3) Compensate for the historic injustices and retributively accomodate the many violations i.e. atrocities, displacement forced upon innocent iwi communities

4)Allow a just seperation to take place (like, why stay in a relationship with a psychotic, tormenting infered 'partner.') and

5) Support the iwi collective (Maori) to develope a healthy nation best suited for them.

@bOb what would you really prefer now? Either take it on the chin or make it your moral duty to right the wrong.

My choice is the latter, hope that helps.

02 Dec 2011 11:46a.m.

bOb wrote:

lol @ aiden They accomplished very little for common nz Maori people while allied with Act and National other than hit up deals for these special maoris groups in the inner money circle. I can understand how the Maori party could form a alliance with national but a alliance with Act is bizzare, the only way they could get along is if the Maori people bend over and take it. I hate the Maori party and any race based party in general + the hand outs but its obvious the Maori party have sold out in order to rake in money for a few special few.

02 Dec 2011 10:45a.m.

aiden wrote:

all three members of the maori party have shown an amazing role over the past three years, all three would make good ministers. It really is great to see how much the maori party achieved for maori the past three years, unlike how they were completely walked over and treated like shit by labour