Maori Party still hopeful of coalition

Pita Sharples said it was up to Labour to approach his party. But NZ First look close to sealing a deal. File picture / Glenn Jeffrey

The Maori Party is still open to supporting Labour in return for policy concessions, party co-leader Pita Sharples said today.

Labour is again involved in talks with New Zealand First today as the two parties move closer to sealing a deal that would enable Labour to form a government.

Dr Sharples said if Labour was as close to gaining NZ First's positive vote on confidence and supply as reports suggested, then Labour would not need Maori Party support.

"If it's true then that's fait accompli I suppose," he said.

With NZ First's seven votes, along with the Progressive's one, and the Greens' six, Labour leader Helen Clark would have 64 votes -- enough to command a majority in the 121-member Parliament.

Dr Sharples said the Maori Party was still open to supporting Labour in return for achieving policy goals.

But he said talks so far with Labour had not involved specific offers on policy.

"They have just talked and we've talked about what we have in common, but really there's been nothing offered to us at all."

He said it would be up to Labour to initiate any further talks.

The Maori Party's other co-leader Tariana Turia said today that all the options in front of the Maori Party would be discussed at a caucus meeting planned for this afternoon.

Over recent days Mrs Turia has maintained that the Maori Party could work with Labour or National to form a government.

Mrs Turia was reported to have jointly met with the leaders of National, NZ First and United Future this week to talk about the possibility of a centre-right government.

Meanwhile, New Zealand First MPs held a caucus meeting today as the party prepared for more meetings with Labour leaders that could seal an agreement to support a new government.

NZ First leader Winston Peters is expected to seek significant policy gains in exchange for his party's votes.

Among his priorities, stated during the election campaign, are an increase in superannuation, a "gold card" for pensioners with increased entitlements, more police and tighter immigration laws.

Helen Clark returned to the Beehive and just before noon was understood to be meeting Green Party leaders Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald.

The Greens have said they are close to finalising a policy agreement in return for their support.

The party wants to be in coalition with Labour, but that appears to be off the agenda.

Mr Peters is believed to have objected to the Greens being in coalition and holding cabinet positions.

The co-leaders would not comment as they made their way to Helen Clark's office.

- NZPA