24 Jan 2014

Maori Party looks for distance from National

10:09 pm on 24 January 2014

The Maori Party says it is making a conscious effort to start distancing itself from the National Party as this year's general election looms.

MPs from all political parties were welcomed on to Ratana Pa, near Whanganui, on Friday for annual Ratana Church's celebrations marking the anniversary of the birth of the Church's prophet, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana. Thousands of people including Ratana followers, iwi leaders and church dignitaries from throughout New Zealand have gathered for the event.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples. Photo: RNZ

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said the party has got the message its people are not happy with the relationship with National and he is taking seriously the prospect of a different Government after the election.

Mr Flavell said the party wants to be clear that it can work with National and Labour.

His colleague Pita Sharples said he has a few things he wants to get finished as Maori Affairs Minister before the end of the political term, but agrees it's probably time for the Maori Party to start moving away from National.

"It's more to say that don't forget we are an authentic, independent party based on kaupapa Maori, no matter who we are ... It's interesting that National has announced who they'll go with, and we're in that group; Labour has announced who they'll go with, and we're in their group. We're the only party that's in both teams."

Prime Minister John Key said the move is to be expected, as smaller parties generally need to define themselves before and election.

PM mocks Labour

Prime Minister John Key addresses the crowd.

Prime Minister John Key addresses the crowd. Photo: RNZ

The Prime Minister, National MPs and the Maori Party were the last political group to be welcomed to Ratana Pa on Friday.

During his speech, John Key mocked the Labour Party, saying leader David Cunliffe would have been totally predictable with his message. Before walking onto the marae, Mr Key said Maori have not done well under Labour governments.

"They (Maori) have been aligned with Labour ever since the days of T.W. Ratana, but actually they've done much better under National than they've done under Labour, and if they continue voting for Labour they'll continue to get what they've got ... which is fantastic rhetoric in opposition, absolutely no action in government."

David Cunliffe is welcomed at Ratana Pa.

Labour leader David Cunliffe is welcomed to Ratana Pa. Photo: RNZ

Earlier, David Cunliffe told those gathered that his party wanted to strongly reaffirm its relationship with the Church. Mr Cunliffe said the relationship between Ratana and Labour went back to the 1930s.

"Where the prophet and his people came to Wellington, they offered four symbols of their need and their hopes for the future. And we're coming up towards the centenary of this movement. So it's a really important time for us to renew that alliance, to renew the common purpose of helping our people."

Before Mr Cunliffe, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters likened policy gains made by the Maori Party to apartheid. Mr Peters said he could not sit at the Cabinet table with the Maori Party after the election because they were pushing racist policy.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (centre) at Ratana Pa.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (centre). Photo: RNZ

"Two flags is separatist. Which other country has two flags? Which other country is heading towards a separate prison system, or a separate social welfare system?... And we're not going to waste time mincing our words in this campaign. We're opposed to it, we believe it's against New Zealand's long term interests, and we're going to be staunch about that."

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei planned to emphasise that her party would also work hard for all Maori should it be part of the next Government.