September 09, 2020
Maori Party puts up compelling case for TV debate place
Television New Zealand says there’s a unique case for the Māori Party to be included in its party leaders’ debate.
The party’s co-leader John Tamihere will now be included in the debate, but The Opportunities Party and other small parties still miss out.
Head of news and current affairs Graeme Muir says the election delay gave the broadcaster a chance to review its criteria.
The Māori Party argued that because it was only contesting the seven Māori seats, the criteria that it must draw 3 per cent support in a recent TV One News Colmar Brunton poll was unfair.
"We had an opportunity, we looked at it and we thought they've got a really strong case, a really good point here. And so we adjusted our criteria, the Māori Party will take part and we are really pleased about that," Mr Muir says.
Graeme Muir
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