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Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has praised the way former party president Tukoroirangi Morgan ran the election campaign – even though it ended with defeat.
In his resignation newsletter, Mr Morgan pointed to the impact on the election of new Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and his party's failure to differentiate itself as a distinctive and independent voice in the National-ACT coalition – but he did not admit any fault.
Mr Flavell says as campaign manager Mr Morgan was willing to try new approaches but it is hard to predict how campaigns will go.
"In Waiariki I increased my vote. I got more votes than I got in the last election. And yet, despite the arrangement with Mana, the Mana voters on the prods from Annette (Sykes) and so on went to the Labour Party. Some things you have control of, other things you haven't, but one thing I give Tuku credit for is at least he tried stuff," he says.
Mr Flavell agrees there is a need for new blood at the top of the party and at the moment he doesn't intend to stand again .. although he will remain active in party affairs.
TE URUROA FLAVELL FULL INTERVIEW
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