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Metiria Turei is welcoming an endorsement of the Greens from retiring Maori Party MP Tariana Turia.
Mrs Turia told Radio Waatea this week that if people don’t want to give their party vote to the Maori Party they should give it to the Greens because of their consistent support for kaupapa Maori.
In past elections Labour has won a majority of party votes in the Maori seats, even those held by the Maori Party.
Mrs Turei says the Greens opposed Labour’s Foreshore and Seabed Bill.
She doesn’t agree with the Maori Party co-leader on all issues, but she’s right on that point.
"Maori communities remember that we’ve always been there, and having that endorsement from Tariana is really important, it shows real faith in us. If we improve our vote in Maori electorates and right across the country as well we will be much better placed to ensure that if we are in a Government with Labour we fix some of the problems we have with Maori policy: commitment to te reo; commitment to genuine treaty justice," she says.
A high vote for the Greens could bring both Marama Davidson and Jack McDonald into parliament.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH METIRIA TUREI CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjE5Nzk=
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