3 Oct 2014

Turia saying no to co-leader role

10:21 pm on 3 October 2014

Tariana Turia says she does not intend staying on as co-leader of the Maori Party, whatever the final vote in the general election held last month.

Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia are quitting before this year's general election.

Tariana Turia and former co-leader Pita Sharples. Photo: RNZ

Mrs Turia stood down as the MP for Te Tai Hauauru at the election and will relinquish her Associate Health Minister role when the new Cabinet is named.

She said she expects that list candidate Maarama Fox would get into Parliament once the vote is finalised tomorrow and would then become party co-leader with Te Ururoa Flavell.

Mrs Turia believed Mrs Fox would make an excellent co-leader.

However, she said if that does not happen, she would still stand down at the Maori Party annual meeting at her marae in Whanganui at the end of this month.

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