25 Aug 2009

Tensions rise among parties over Maori seats

7:32 pm on 25 August 2009

Prime Minister John Key says he is not worried about the state of relations between the National Government's support parties.

Tensions between National and ACT have become apparent, with senior National MP Tau Henare on Tuesday describing ACT leader Rodney Hide as a "buffoon" and a '"jerk-off".

Mr Henare's comments follow the Cabinet's reconfirmation on Monday that there will be no dedicated Maori seats on Auckland's super-council.

Mr Henare was the author of a leaked email accusing Mr Hide of threatening National over the issue, forcing Mr Hide to declare he would resign as Local Government Minister and from other portfolios if Maori seats are included.

On Monday morning, a reporter asked Mr Henare about Mr Hide's belief that Mr Henare had leaked the email, to which he replied that Mr Hide was a "buffoon" and a "jerk-off".

Mr Key says National is a minority Government that relies on the support of its confidence and supply partners and there will always be emotions around some of the decisions made.

The Prime Minister says the Government has people from the right and left of politics, which will inevitably create tensions, but is confident that any issues can be worked through. He is not expecting Mr Henare to apologise for his comments.

Mr Hide says he is not fazed by insults directed at him by Mr Henare.

"Oh look, you always get the odd MP. I've got a good working relationship with the Prime Minister, I've got a good working relationship with National, and I've been working with the Maori Party and I'm making sure that's a good one too."

Key rules out conscience vote

The Cabinet decision prompted the Maori Party to call for a conscience vote on the Auckland governance legislation on Tuesday, saying there are National Party MPs who would vote for the seats.

But Mr Key says the legislation, including the issue of reserved Maori seats, will not be put to a conscience vote. The legislation is currently before a parliamentary select committee.

The opposition Labour Party says that sort of extravagant language from a member of the National caucus shows there are deep divisions over the issue of Maori seats on the super-council.

Labour leader Phil Goff says the party is likely to put up its own amendments to the super-city legislation to enshrine Maori seats on the council.