Alliance president resigns over links to Maori Party

By HELEN TUNNAH, deputy political editor

Alliance president Jill Ovens has resigned after a disagreement with the party's "leadership" over closer ties with the fledgling Maori Party.

Ms Ovens told the Herald that Tariana Turia's statements she might be able to work with National and Don Brash raised issues about whether the Maori Party's policies would be compatible with the Alliance.

There is also a debate within the Alliance about whether it contests the general election next year or throws its weight behind the Maori Party.

The Alliance was Labour's coalition partner between 1999 and 2002, but it split over the Government's decision to send troops to Afghanistan after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Both Alliance leader Matt McCarten, who worked as campaign manager for the Maori Party in this month's Te Tai Hauauru byelection won by Mrs Turia, and Ms Ovens denied any personal differences yesterday.

But she said she did not have his support to continue as president.

"It's become increasingly difficult to work with the leadership of the Alliance," she said.

"There is a need for a political party on the left of Labour and the Maori Party might not be that, Tariana Turia has said that she could go with National."

Since quitting Labour in May, Mrs Turia, a co-leader of the Maori Party, has said several times her party might be able to work with National, despite its claims Maori receive privileged treatment over other New Zealanders.

National also wants the seabed and foreshore vested in public ownership, the cause of Mrs Turia's decision to leave Labour.

Mrs Turia said last week that the Alliance was welcome to join the Maori Party.

That raised questions about whether the Alliance would lose its identity within the Maori Party, and Ms Ovens issued a statement saying talk of a merger was a media beatup.

She resigned as president after being told by the executive two days later she was to make no more public statements on the issue.

"It's really a political difference between me and some others in the leadership," she said.

"I would like to promote the [Alliance] manifesto. Others see that the Maori Party development is a significant political development, which it is, and would like us to put our energies into supporting that."

Mr McCarten said there had been no talk of any formal links between the Maori Party and the Alliance, which already includes the party formed by former Labour MP Matiu Rata, Mana Motuhake.

He said Ms Ovens had resigned after a difference of opinion with one or two members.

"I'm very glad to say it wasn't with me. We've accepted the resignation and we have an executive meeting in four weeks. We'll deal with it next month."