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Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell has been confirmed as a Minister outside cabinet in a deal under which the Maori Party gives its two votes to the National-led Government on matters of confidence and supply.
The final election count released on Saturday confirmed Marama Fox as the Maori Party’s first list MP also strengthened the party’s bargaining position.
National’s party vote total dropped to 47 percent, putting it below the first Bolger Government’s historic high.
That means it is down to 60 MPs in a 121-seat parliament and no longer has the votes to govern alone.
It also has the backing of United’s Peter Dunne and ACT’s new leader David Seymour.
Mr Flavell was made Minister of Maori Development, which replaces the Maori affairs title, Minister for Whanau Ora, and Associate Minister for Economic Development.
Prime Minister John Key says National will work with the Maori Party on a range of priority policy areas including Whanau Ora, the Ministerial Committee on Poverty, and Maori economic and regional development.
The final count favoured the Greens, who picked up enough special votes to get Stephan Browning back as its 14th MP.
That means if there are any resignations or departures over the next three years, the next to come into parliament on the list will be its Tamaki Makaurau candidate, Marama Davidson of Ngapuhi and Ngati Porou.
Labour also increased its share of the vote to 25.13 percent, meaning Andrew Little stays on as a list MP.
Special votes trimmed Labour MP Kelvin Davis’s election night majority by almost 400, leaving him 739 votes ahead of Mana leader Hone Harawira.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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