The chair of Labour’s kaunihera Māori says now the contest for the party presidency is over Māori in the party are keen to present a united front heading into the next election.
Rudy Taylor says despite losing to Claire Szabo, by putting his hand up for the top job, Māori vice president Tane Phillips raised his profile in the party and won respect.
He says unlike the Māori Party which has difficulty advancing an agenda with its National Party once its demands over the foreshore and seabed were addressed, Māori in Labour feel they have plenty of room to influence the agenda.
“What’s talked about in the party is about strengthening Māori. We want to work hard for the party. We’re in the party for the long term. We’ve got one waka and I think if we can get through this for the next election I think our people will be very proud to know we are moving along the way of seeing what our people are entitled to in next year’s budget,” Mr Taylor says.
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