Goff refuses to rule out Harawira as coalition partner

Phil Goff. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Labour leader Phil Goff this morning refused to rule out Hone Harawira as a somewhat unlikely potential coalition partner following this year's election.

Mr Harawira's future as a Maori Party MP looks dim ahead of a disciplinary meeting this week at which he is expected to be expelled for his comments about the party's leadership and coalition with National.

Mr Harawira himself refuses to rule the possibility he may stand in his far North Te Tai Tokerau electorate as an independent candidate at the next election.

Asked about a potential alliance with Mr Harawira, who once suggested the Labour leader should be shot for his role in formulating Labour's foreshore and seabed legislation, Mr Goff kept his options open.

"I've said before I'll work with anyone in Parliament as long as it's in the interests of all New Zealanders and it's for values we believe in. We'll even work with the Government if we have to."

He "fundamentally disagreed" with Mr Harawira on issues such as whether, "people's children should go out with people from one ethnic origin or another". He also said the Maori Party's internal divisions had been a major distraction at at time when Maori and other New Zealanders were facing job losses and rising prices.

"While the Maori party squabbles amongst itself those issues aren't being addressed and raised within Government."

However, Labour would "work with anyone who's prepared to support the stand we'll make on behalf of New Zealanders on those issues".