KEY POINTS:
Maori Party supporters at a consultation hui in Taupo last night remained tight-lipped after the MP for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell, outlined discussions between the party hierarchy and the National Party.
But some were excited by the prospect of dealing with the new Government.
"He [John Key] didn't
have to even consider talking with the Maori Party," said one woman, who did not want to be named.
"But it is heartwarming to see a government prepared to talk with us ... I think it's clear they're thinking about the long term."
Mr Flavell agreed there was some surprise among constituents that the National Party was negotiating with the Maori Party.
"Everyone is wondering why and the question was asked, 'Is this genuine?',"he said. "But at the end of the day he's[Mr Key] given up some space for us and the hui tonight at least considered it was worth pursuing."
Mr Flavell would not detail the discussions or the possibility of ministerial positions for Maori Party members outside the Cabinet, but said some policy moves were a "win-win" for both parties.
"These are the major ones that were well known before the election to do with the foreshore and seabed and the Maori seats."
He dismissed claims from new Labour leader Phil Goff that the Maori Party was going against what its voters wanted.
"They had their opportunity and we are not too worried about what they want. It could have been them who may or may not have been in a position to work with us."
Another group of Maori Party supporters met to discuss the negotiations in West Auckland last night.
But Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira released no specific details to the 40-strong crowd, as co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples were still working on the deal.
"I don't know the deal, but I am suspecting that if we have to vote confidence and supply, I am picking Tari and Pete will say, 'If you are expecting us to vote confidence and supply, then we are expecting [ministerial posts]'."
Speculation has been mounting as to what a deal would look like.
Sources likened the negotiations to a "moving beast at the moment".
Mr Harawira said the five Maori Party MPs would meet at the weekend, and Prime Minister-elect John Key was likely to announce full details after that.
One woman said that although she did not like National, she supported any deal because she had confidence in the Maori MPs.
"I have been watching and we have finally got a foot in the door, and that foot has slowly been cementing itself."
Mr Harawira said the party was looking for budgetary control, and education, health and social welfare, and the foreshore and seabed were all areas in which they hoped to make gains.
He criticised Act leader Rodney Hide for throwing his weight around when he was only a junior party in the Act-National-United Future coalition.
National is expected to announce formal agreements with both Act and United Future by Monday.
Mr Key hopes to finalise agreement with the Maori Party before leaving for Apec.
