Maori Party consultation on relationship with Government

Ken Mair, Co Vice-President, Maori Party

Sunday 11 December 2011

The Maori Party has completed its consultation tour, seeking direction from its members as to the best arrangements for going forward.

“Our MPs, and party leadership have attended over thirty hui over the last week, and received a resounding call for the party to enter into a Relationship Accord with the Government”.

“Hui participants provided an overwhelming message of support for a relationship-based accord that provides a high level of confidence to the Government to lead, while preserving the strong, independent voice of the Maori Party.

“The Relationship Accord is a distinctive statement that places priority on maintaining an environment of respect while also giving support to specific matters of Confidence and Supply.

Two distinguishing factors of the Accord appealed to our constituency: the ‘agree to disagree provisions’ that protect the mana motuhake of the Maori Party; and the capacity to vote on all issues that are not subject to confidence and supply, on a case by case basis.

“The direction our membership gave us, was to move full-steam ahead to consolidate and strengthen Whanau Ora while at the same time providing tangible support to lift the quality of life for so many of our families who are struggling with the here and now”.

“Signing up to a Relationship Accord is critical to us in that it maintains the independence of the Maori Party”.

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