Maori Party refusing to walk away over Tribunal

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Maori Party won't walk away over Tribunal

3News NZ

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia outside the Waiwhetu Marae today (Photo: Jared Mason)

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia outside the Waiwhetu Marae today (Photo: Jared Mason)

By Kim Choe

Opposition parties have renewed calls for the Maori Party to end its support agreement with the Government over the Waitangi Tribunal dispute.

But the Maori Party says it values its position at the negotiating table, even though it's offended by comments from Prime Minister John Key.

The Maori Party says the Prime Minister's comments that the Government doesn't have to obey the Waitangi Tribunal are insulting, but still, it's still refusing to walk away from its support deal with National.

“I'd rather still be at the table making gains for Maori,” Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says.

“We are in [an] excellent relationship in terms of our policies and give and take.”

But fellow co-leader Tariana Turia hasn't managed to get a meeting with John Key. Last night she said his office hadn't returned her calls.

The Maori Party's refusal to walk comes despite its leaders saying National is undermining the tribunal process.

Mr Key maintains that even if it found Maori "could" claim ownership of waterways, it wouldn't affect asset sales.

Both Labour and the Mana Party say the Maori Party needs to get out of its agreement.

Labour leader David Shearer is wondering what they will do.

“What are they going to do about it? Are they just going to say look, "We're insulted"? That's what they've said. Or are they actually going to take that extra step and say ‘look, we don't want to be with you any more, this is a step too far’. But we haven't seen them actually do that yet.”

But he is not sure if the Maori Party will actually walk.

“Oh look, I think if they believe that their principles have been inflamed, they should stand by their convictions.”

But the Maori Party says its convictions are not - at this point - a deal-breaker.

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Comments

12/07/2012 6:29:52 p.m.

Just Me wrote:

To ensure its(the Moari Party's) ongoing support John Key 'created' a huge number of Ministerial roles after the last election.The MPs of the Maori Party probably rubbed their hands in glee.They saw the wonderful pay packets plus perks making their lives richer financially.Their concern for anything Maori once they were safely enthroned into parliament is empty.They want to give the illusion(delusion more likely)they are there for Maori.They are in the job(politics) for themselves and that is all it is. Neither John Key nor the National government(in all its pig headedness)takes the Maori Party seriously.The Maori Party is a joke.It's only purpose for the National government is to keep enough numbers to assure government. The National government does what it,the National government(and its big business cronies)wants.It has absolutely no interest in what the Maori Party let alone Maori voters want.Lets call Maori the dispensable voters. A wise man once said "You cannot put your foot into the same river twice."That means to changes in the world and,in this instance, water is constantly in motion.One cannot control the total direction of water once it's in motion.One has no ownership over water e.g even when in mist. We should say to the Maori Party they cannot stay attached to a government that really views them as a joke.They,the Maori Party,are so in love with the tax-payer funded pay packets plus perks.They are not so eager to see a drop in income. National will go ahead with its plans and come hell or high water(excuse the pun)the concerns of ALL voters in NZ mean nothing to them.