The MP for Te Tairawhiti, Hon Tuariki Delamere, today announced that, at a
hui held on Hamilton s Kirikiriroa marae yesterday, the Maori political
parties, Mana Maori Movement, Te Tawharau and Piri Wiri Tua Movement agreed
to combine into a coalition and run a combined list for the purposes of the
party vote.

“The Maori voters want to see their Maori MP's not only representing Maori,
but being accountable to Maori.

"You cannot be accountable to Maori if your first allegiance is to a
political vehicle that is owned and controlled by Pakeha such as Labour and
National,” Mr Delamere said today from Hungahungatoroa Marae in Tauranga.

“Throughout New Zealand Maori are asking for kotahitanga, for unity, among
the Maori political vehicles as they know that, because Maori are a minority,
this is the only way to get Maori MP's into Parliament as part of a Maori
political vehicle.

"To that end, Mana Maori, Te Tawharau and Piri Wiri Tua will next week
announce a combined list and seek the kotahitanga party vote under the
umbrella of Mana Maori for this election.”

Mana Maori, Te Tawharau and Piri Wiri Tua will be standing candidates in the
electorates under their own individual party banners but they will appear on
the kotahitanga party list of Mana Maori.

Tuariki Delamere concluded, “This is a momentous political event for Maori
and I am very confident we will win at least six seats in the next Parliament
which will result in Maori holding the balance of power.

"As we enter into the new millennium Maori will finally achieve a true
partnership in the governing of Aotearoa."

Ends

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