14 Dec 2012

Whanau Ora is Turia's 'key legacy'

7:59 pm on 14 December 2012

Maori Party co-vice president Ken Mair says party co-leader Tariana Turia will leave behind a number of legacies, but the main one will be her Whanau Ora policy.

Mr Mair says Mrs Turia will also be remembered for her strong determination and supporting her constituents by going against the Labour Party.

He says people will remember her the most for Whanau Ora - now the Maori Party's social welfare policy - designed for families to take back responsibility for themselves.

Mrs Turia confirmed on Friday that she will not seek re-election at the end of this Parliamentary term.

She entered Parliament as a Labour Party MP in 1996, but then left in 2004 over the Foreshore and Seabed legislation and formed the Maori Party.

Mr Mair says that when the Foreshore and Seabed legislation was in the balance, Mrs Turia went with her Te Tai Hau a Uru supporters and voted against Labour by crossing the floor in Parliament, leading to the formation of the Maori Party.