12 Apr 2014

Dotcom's appeal to Mana party

7:10 pm on 12 April 2014

Kim Dotcom has urged the Mana Party to align with his new Internet Party in a bid to bring down the National-led Government. He addressed 200 Mana members in Bay of Plenty.

Kim Dotcom addresses Mana party members in Rotorua.

Kim Dotcom addresses Mana party members in Rotorua. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch

The internet entrepreneur and founder of the Internet Party told about 200 Mana members at their annual meeting in Rotorua how he grew up in poverty with an abusive, alcoholic father and that he's committed to Mana's principle of social fairness.

"Just because I live in big, flash house doesn't mean that I don't care about people who are disadvantaged. I think we need a fairer society."

Mr Dotcom promised to help Mana with technology and visibility, and outlined similarities in policy, such as the introduction of a luxury tax.

The German-born New Zealand resident was scathing of the Government's treatment of students and told them how he wanted to crackdown on the Government Communications Security Bureau.

The Internet Party hit the target of 500 members required to be formally registered within hours of its launch, in late March.

Mr Dotcom and Mr Harawira met in February to initially raise the possibility of an electoral alliance.

Mana leader Hone Harawira earlier on Saturday told members that any decision about an alliance was entirely in their hands.

Mr Harawira said he was sure the membership would have a robust and challenging debate.