Mana Media Release
6 December 2011

Taihoa Maori Party says new MANA President

Newly elected MANA President Annette Sykes is calling on the Maori Party to cease all negotiations with National until the special votes are counted. 220,720 votes are still to be counted and it is likely they will result in a loss of a seat for National. This would put the Maori Party in a position to issue some strong demands.

"If National needs the Maori Party to form a government after the special votes are counted, they'd be in a position to call the shots and wield some real power", said Ms Sykes. "We're asking them to hold off signing up to any deal and really take stock of the situation."

"The Maori Party alone is likely to have the power to take asset sales off the government's agenda - along with other problematic policies like increasing GST. MANA's challenge to the Maori Party is to step up and use their influence in a way that will benefit the long term viability of the nation and our struggling whanau.

"But will they actually have the courage to make good on their election promises - or will they continue to sell us out?" concluded Ms Sykes.

Annette Sykes was elected as interim President of the MANA Movement at a post-election hui held on Sunday at Whaiora Marae in Otara.

ENDS

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