KEY POINTS:
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia would be contesting the 2008 election but might reconsider her political future in 2011, a spokeswoman said today.
The spokeswoman said there had been speculation following an interview Mrs Turia gave in which she said she would be looking at her options after the 2008 election because her grandchildren were growing up and she missed spending time with them.
She had said she would review what her next move would be at the 2011 election, the spokeswoman said.
"She certainly has said it to lots of different hui that she'll be contesting the next election. So there's certainly no question for 2008," the spokeswoman said.
Mrs Turia had no plans to quit her co-leadership role either, she said.
Co-leader Pita Sharples today told Radio New Zealand the Maori Party caucus had known for about six months that Mrs Turia would retire sooner rather than later.
"We're hoping to capture the whole seven seats at the next election and hopefully perhaps a woman can come through somewhere, I don't know. I would hope so. Youth and woman is probably what we need to invest in for our future," he said.
- NZPA
