Maori Party staying quiet on possible coalition partners

Tariana Turia. File picture

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia will not be drawn on potential coalition partners but says her party will stay out of Government if it cannot reach a suitable agreement.

Mrs Turia made the comment at a stop on a lower North Island road trip for five of the party's seven Maori electorate candidates and some of its general seat and list candidates.

A meeting at Rosie's Cafe, a roadside stop on State Highway 1 in Manawatu, attracted a dozen faithful.

Mrs Turia would not be drawn on possible coalition partners , but revealed an obvious distaste for one option: "Labour are saying a vote for the Maori Party is a vote for National. Yeah, right."

Later, she said her party would stay out of government if it could not reach a suitable agreement with a coalition partner.

"We would like to be part of a government because we know that being part of the government is how you influence and make changes, but you also have to go along with caucus when you're outnumbered. It does make it very hard."

She said the party was confident of sweeping the seven Maori seats, but called on Maori to give the party their party vote in the coming election.

As well as Mrs Turia, the group was also addressed by Maori Party number two Pita Sharples, Tainui candidate Angeline Greensill, Te Tai Tokerau candidate Hone Harawira and Rangitikei general seat candidate Abe Hepi.

- nzpa