July 21, 2016
Leaders wary on Harawira olive branch
Maori Party co-leaders Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell are trying to temper the enthusiasm of the party’s new president for an alliance with Mana.
Tukoroirangi Morgan met with Mana leader Hone Harawira in Whangarei yesterday in an attempt to heal the rift between the two parties.
In a statement, the co-leaders said there was no appetite for a formal alliance but there is an openness to a more cohesive relationship.
Mr Flavell says the Maori Party can work with any party if it’s in the best interests of Maori and the nation.
Mrs Fox, who had a meeting with Mr Harawira recently after appearing on a television programme with him, said the relationship could be important as a way to stop the Maori vote being split.
Mr Morgan says a more strategic relationship could lead to the successful reclamation of Maori seats from the Labour Party.
Labour’s Kelvin Davis, who put Mana out of parliament last election by winning Te Taitokerau, says he’s looks forward to Mr Harawira returning to the Maori Party fold because he will quickly tear the it apart again.
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