Alliance rebuff to merger talk

Alliance president Jill Ovens has poured cold water over reports the party might merge with the new Maori Party.

She said the Alliance had supported the Maori Party in the Te Tai Hauauru byelection as an important political development that should be encouraged.

Alliance leader Matt McCarten was the campaign manager for Tariana Turia and the Maori Party in the byelection, and he said yesterday that there had been no talk of a merger.

However, he and Ms Ovens did not dismiss the idea altogether.

Asked on Monday if the Alliance might join the Maori Party, Mrs Turia said that was up to the Alliance.

Mr McCarten said a decision could be made only by the party, and the Alliance's conference was not for several months.