Ratana pats Key on back

Prime Minister John Key is welcomed on to the marae at Ratana Pa. Photo / NZPA

Prime Minister John Key arrived far too early for the party, but got the present he wanted at the annual Ratana celebrations yesterday.

Mr Key's decision to visit yesterday rather than tomorrow meant only about 150 people were there to see him and about 20 of his MPs arrive, rather than the thousands who will have gathered by tomorrow.

But it took only one surprise sentence from a kaumatua speaking on the marae to indicate that while Labour leader Phil Goff will have the crowds when he appears tomorrow, he could face a more difficult time.

Joe Everett, a morehu (Ratana follower), noted the long connections the Church has with Labour but then said that since becoming Prime Minister, John Key had abided by his promises to the Maori people.

"In the short time you have been in power, you have done so much more than others have done for the Maori people."

The overt praise and implicit criticism of the previous Labour government made it clear the Church followers at least are openly reconsidering their alliance with Labour.

Church elder Andre Meihana said Mr Goff could well face criticism over the controversial speech he gave last year, as well as what some saw as a failure by Labour to foster its close ties with the Church over the past five years.

He said the Church had canvassed followers for their views on whether it should remain formally aligned with Labour.

It had asked for more morehu candidates on Labour's list but had not heard back.

"So they are a bit afraid coming on to the marae on Sunday of getting a smack on the hand again."

Maori Party co-leader and Ratana morehu Tariana Turia said she was taken by surprise by Mr Everett's praise of the National Government.

"I guess I didn't expect that. It was there and it's really important for National to know that because he wouldn't have said that on the marae if he didn't mean it. It was very pleasing to hear him say that."

Mrs Turia was the only Maori Party MP on the marae and was there as a morehu rather than a politician. She said if Mr Goff was challenged from the marae tomorrow it would be significant.

She played down talk that the Maori Party's decision to go tomorrow instead of with the Government was a sign the party was trying to distance itself from National.

Although the party was determined to be seen as an independent voice rather than too closely aligned to another, the decision was primarily because many of the Maori Party followers and Ratana morehu would not be there until tomorrow.

She expected Mr Goff to be treated respectfully, but said speakers were often outspoken and it was possible he would be challenged over the controversial speech on nationhood he delivered just before Christmas.

"It is significant, given those links, for Labour to be challenged on the marae."

Mr Goff is expected to speak about reinvigorating the Ratana relationship. Mr Key was quick to play up any apparent breakdown in that relationship, saying he believed the Maori Party and - to a lesser extent - National had begun to erode it.

"It will be interesting to see what reception Mr Goff does get."

He said he took heart from the welcome he received.

"I think when Don Brash came in 2005 I'm not sure they got delivered a cup of tea. So a lot has changed in the last five years and I think that reflects the actions of the National Party being constructive."

He said it was always his view that National should be able to build good relations with the Maori people and the Maori Party "and I think we've made a pretty good fist of it over the last 15 months".

He told the Ratana followers his government would continue to work on housing developments and state house upgrades in the small village, where about 400 people live.

He also confirmed money for the Whanau Ora policies - being led by Mrs Turia - would be included in the Budget, and said the Government remained hopeful of a widely acceptable solution to the foreshore and seabed act.