July 05, 2013
Sharples has PM’s backing to stay minister
Outgoing Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says he’d like to stay on as Minister of Māori Affairs for a further year before handing the role to his successor.
Dr Sharples will stand down as co-leader at the party’s AGM in Whakatane this month, leaving the field open for Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell to step up.
He’s discussed the situation with Prime Minister John Key.
"That’s the suggestion from the Prime Minister, that I should stay until about mid-next year and give the months leading up to the election, six months or so, to Te Ururoa or whoever’s elected," Dr Sharples says.
The bid to replace Pem Bird as Māori Party president is shaping up into a three way race, with two time Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidate Na Raihania putting his name in alongside Tāmaki Makaurau electorate chair George Ngatai and Ngāti Whatua leader Naida Glavish.
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