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Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is denying reports she is considering a further term in Parliament.
The Maori Party could be down to one electorate after the next election if it can’t find electable replacements for Mrs Turia and Tamaki Makaurau MP Pita Sharples, who is also standing down at the election.
That has fuelled speculation National is pressuring her to stay to keep a potential coalition partner.
But the 69-year-old says she’s sticking with her decision to quit.
"I've been very very clear that this is my last term. My view is no political party should be dependent on individuals. The Maori Party has got kaupapa and tikanga that stands it in good stead, and all decisions that are made in parliament are based on that, so it doesn't really matter who will come in here, they still will be required to act in a particular way so I'm fairly confident that if people want a Maori Party in Parliament, they will continue to vote for it," Mrs Turia says.
She also denies speculation from political commentator Matt McCarten that party president Naida Glavish would stand in Tamaki Makaurau and vice president Ken Mair would be the party’s Te Tai Hauauru candidate.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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