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Outgoing Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has ruled out forcing a by-election in his Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.
Dr Sharples has ended a damaging succession battle with Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell by announcing he will give up the co-leader’s position at this month’s AGM, but he intends to stay on as Minister of Māori Affairs until next year’s election.
He says going early wouldn‘t be good for the country or the party.
"Who would want to cost another by-election, but also we need to grow a new candidate in Tāmaki Makaurau by the next year and a half to have a good profile out there because I'm sure Shane Jones will contest that electorate and so we need a good candidate," he says.
Pita Sharples says giving up the leadership has left him with a sense of relief.
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