Focus splits Maori party leaders

By JON STOKES maori affairs reporter

A split has emerged between the leaders of a new Maori political party as a who's who of Maoridom prepares to hammer out its future at an Auckland hui tomorrow.

The split over the party's focus comes a week after the appointment of Professor Whatarangi Winiata and Dr Pita Sharples as leaders of a new Maori political movement.

Professor Winiata, an academic and Anglican church leader who is the party's interim president, is a strong advocate of a separate Maori House of Parliament to sit alongside the existing Parliament.

His stance is supported by likely party leader and former Labour Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia, who said this month that such a policy would allow "our people to be more self determining".

"This party ... will focus on Maori rights, Maori self-determination, and it will be sitting within its own cultural paradigm, not within someone else's," she said.

But Dr Sharples, the interim party leader, wants a more inclusive policy.

"We have seen a general erosion of things Maori and a lack of power to perpetuate our way of life in this country," he said.

"We have to build a Maori future that is totally cognisant of everyone else living in New Zealand and that fits into their dream too.

"It must have rewarding factors for them, [so] they can enjoy it and belong and adopt.

"The new president wants us to be totally Maori all the way. We are still comparing ideologies, it is early days."

About 100 Maori social, commercial and academic leaders, including Auckland University professor of education, Professor Mason Durie, Whanganui Trust Board chairman Archie Taiaroa, former Maori Land Court judge Ken Hingston, and Te Wananga o Aotearoa head Rongo Wetere, have responded to a call from the party's leaders to attend the hui at West Auckland's Hoani Waititi marae tomorrow.

The meeting is seen as crucial for the new party in gaining wider Maori support.

Dr Sharples said Maori leaders would be asked to give guidance on the party's direction and structure, and to pledge their backing and financial support for its creation.

"It's a question of going out there and getting people's buy-in. We will go to the leaders, then the people. You have to do both.

Dr Sharples acknowledged that forming a new Maori party involved several issues.

"We (Maori) are not one homogenous group. We are on different sides of the fence in court actions - over fish for example. We have to accept that and keep that to the fish. Politically we have to stay united."

Alliance leader Matt McCarten has had a key role in advising on the party's formation.

He played a leading role in forming Jim Anderton's New Labour Party and was the driving force in keeping the Alliance's member partners in check before its implosion at the last election.

Mr McCarten believes Sunday's meeting is crucial if the Maori party wants to be taken seriously.

"It will win on organisation, or it will fail on organisation."

He is confident Tariana Turia will win a seat in Parliament at the next election and that a Maori party will be created.

"The question is what will happen to it," said.

"Will it be a comet that shines then bursts, or will it have a long term plan?"

Sunday's hui will be followed by a dinner for the heads of the country's Maori authorities, hosted by Waikato-Tainui in Hopuhopu.

Tainui-Waikato co-chairman Tuku Morgan said about 1000 people were expected at a hui on Monday at Turangawaewae.