By Political Editor Duncan Garner

The Maori Party's threats to walk from the Government are hollow.

Asking Iwi to go to court to take on the Government's asset sales only confirms that.

It's become increasingly clear in recent days that Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia aren't going to split from this Government and ditch their treasured and highly paid jobs and perks.

And what would walking away really achieve? A feel good factor? No.

A blunt message to John Key that would really hurt? No.

He'd continue to govern without them - with a slightly reduced majority - but he'd continue.

Indeed, the Maori voice and degree of influence around the table would be lost. They have done the right thing by making a noise over section 9, they need to fight for treaty clauses, it is their kaupapa - their issue.

It took years of fight to get them, they have to fight for their retention.

But I genuinely believe the Maori Party is damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The co-leaders appear to be winding down the clock on their party. They will stay in Government. They love their jobs. They love the influence and they want to push their work programmes through. They would achieve a big fat zero from opposition. And if they tried shouting from the other side - they would be drowned in the noise of their newly found bench mates.

That's the way it works. So they will stay on and fight Key's cuts to the public service and cuts to welfare, and asset sales etc. But they certainly look like an odd fish in the tank. This is a right wing Government pushing through controversial measures - and the Maori Party looks like the odd one out.

They appear to be against more than they are for.

So the party is likely to be punished further in 2014. Turia and Sharples are apparently standing down. There doesn't appear to be a high profile succession plan. The party may go down the tubes then.

Small parties under MMP struggle for traction and the history of these parties in coalition is not good. They die or go close to dying.

Maybe Turia doesn't want her baby to continue once she calls time on her career in Parliament. Who knows?

The Maori Party was never going to be the one voice for Maori.

Maori, like Pakeha don't vote together as one, and nor should they. But the Maori Party started strongly. It was an outlet for Maori who had had enough of the Labour Party's patronising approach to the Maori vote. The vehicle's brand was strong and identifiable to Maori.

But Hone Harawira's departure shook the party to its core. He took a huge chunk of the party's grassroots members.

So I leave you with a thought to consider.

If the Maori Party is to stay intact post 2014, Turia, their co-leader, their founder may have to signal she wants one more term. Her electorate and her followers are the heart and sole of the party.

If she's not thinking about staying on - she should. Without her the Maori Party's days look numbered. The clock looks to be winding down. It's a big call. What will she do? How will she keep her sinking waka afloat?

3 News