Executive appointments send message to Maori Party

Nanaia Mahuta

Helen Clark has topped up the number of Maori MPs on Labour's executive, saying it reflects the loyalty Maori have showed to Labour.

There are now two Maori MPs in Cabinet and three associate ministers outside Cabinet.

This is the same number on the executive as at the beginning of last term, which was reduced after Tariana Turia left Labour and her associate ministerial roles and John Tamihere lost his Cabinet seat. There had been speculation Helen Clark would not replenish the number of Maori MPs on the executive up to the 2002 level.
But yesterday she did, sending at the same time a clear message to the Maori Party that Labour wanted to reclaim the Maori seats.

"The Maori contribution to the Labour Party has been very substantial for a long time and that has been reflected in the ministries that I have had the privilege of appointing for the last six years."

She reappointed all her existing ministers and elevated Te Tai Tonga MP Mahara Okeroa from a parliamentary under-secretary to an associate minister outside Cabinet.

He becomes Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment, Arts, Culture and Heritage and Conservation.

Helen Clark had already announced Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta had won a place in Cabinet and she was yesterday named Minister of Customs, Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Local Government and Environment.

Waiariki MP Mita Ririnui, who lost his electorate seat, has retained all his portfolios.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels, who also lost his seat, was also tipped by some to lose his portfolios, but has retained them for now. Both MPs lobbied Helen Clark for their jobs, arguing their support of the foreshore legislation was responsible for their lost seats.

Yesterday she agreed. "I'm sure that if the foreshore and seabed issue had not come along they would be electorate members of Parliament today."