KEY POINTS:
Derek Fox believes his bid to unseat Labour MP Parekura Horomia has been undermined by his former partner's criticism of the Maori Party's selection process.
After a week of campaigning with four other candidates for the party's Ikaroa-Rawhiti nomination, Mr Fox, a Maori media stalwart, won by what
insiders are calling a landslide last Friday night.
But Atareta Poananga - who also put her hand up for the job - called into question the credibility of the process, claiming special votes were not counted and vote scrutineers did not like her.
Ms Poananga claimed in January that the pair's relationship ended over their rival bids to stand in Ikaroa-Rawhiti.
Mr Fox, who has been in a different relationship for years, has previously refused to confirm the pair were in a relationship.
Yesterday, he refused to go into detail but claimed Ms Poananga had not always been opposed to his candidacy.
"Atareta and I have family connections and always have, and I'm not going to break with that.
"I know that Atareta was not happy when I stood, I discussed it with her on two or three occasions - at one stage she encouraged me to stand."
Ms Poananga's criticisms had destabilised his campaign to win the seat from Mr Horomia, the Maori Affairs Minister.
"I think it is distracting. I think it plays into the hands of those who don't want the Maori Party to succeed. I find it unnecessary - if there is a complaint take it through the party structure. I'm not interested in inflaming the situation."
He said at the weekend Ms Poananga had texted saying she was going to complain, but he did not reply. He was happy with the process, which all candidates had accepted.
It is not the first time Ms Poananga has criticised the party. After her loss at the last election she attacked the party for flirting with National, saying its best option was to stay an independent voice in Parliament.
Her stance put her on the outer, but it is a position all four MPs have since pushed.
It is an embarrassment for the party, which should have been celebrating poll results showing it to be leading in all the Maori seats.
It needs also to prepare for what should be a most hard-fought election.
Party president Whatarangi Winiata said he could not say what happened inside the meeting but it provided a result that everyone was comfortable with. There was also "no doubt" that Mr Fox's nomination stood.
Ms Poananga was at home in Gisborne relaxing with friends yesterday. She refused to talk to the media, but said she planned to visit her iwi - Ngati Porou, Rangitane, Te Whanau a Apanui and Ngati Kauwhata to discuss her next move.
