February 02, 2021
National set to return to Maori seats
National is finally turning its back on a Don Brash-era policy of spurning the seven Māori seats.
Speaking at yesterday's caucus retreat in Wellington, leader Judith Collins said the party had been absent for too long from the seats and she would work towards running candidates in as many as possible in 2023.
National has not contested the seats since 2005, shortly after then-leader Don Brash’s Orewa speech where he painted them as an anachronism which should be abolished.
National currently has only two MPs with whakapapa Māori, deputy leader Shane Reti and former leader Simon Bridges.
While National is unlikely to win a Māori seat, the presence of candidates is likely to increase its profile and its share of the party vote from Māori voters.
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