29 Oct 2013

Maori-Mana talks set for this week

7:12 am on 29 October 2013

The Maori and Mana parties are due to hold talks this week about working together, but the Maori Party's support for National could mean the pair will struggle to reach any political agreement.

President of the Mana movement Annette Sykes is planning to meet her opposite number at the Maori Party, Naida Glavish.

Both want to find common ground to help improve the lives of Maori.

Ms Sykes says the Maori Party's support for the National Party doesn't mesh with her movement's philosophy. She says the Maori Party needs to examine its relationship with the National Party.

Ms Sykes says National's policies are not good for Maori, the poor and the nation.

The first step will be to repair relationships and the meeting will involve party executives - not the political leaders - she says.