January 21, 2013
Radical push for Mana-Māori merger
A Māori Party-Mana merger is being touted as the way to resolve leadership wrangles in the Government’s Māori support party.
The Māori Party caucus is openly feuding over succession, with Tariana Turia calling on her co-leader Pita Sharples to join her in stepping aside to let younger leaders stamp their mark on the party.
Dr Sharples is resisting, and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa has indicated he could walk if he doesn’t get a chance to take the reins soon.
Mana leader Hone Harawira says some Maori Party members in Tai Tokerau want a Mana-Māori coalition.
Commentator Matt McCarten, who was Mana’s inaugural president, says the Māori Party is dying from self-inflicted wounds, and it needs a radical makeover.
"If Te Ururoa got the role and then said we're rejuvenated, we've got a new leadership, we will go with either Labour or National, whoever's got the most votes, they could get away with that. Pete can't, because no one would believe him. The other way, which is more radical, is for them to kiss and make up with Hone'" he says.
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