One of the many mysteries of MMP is why the Maori vote does what it does.
Historically, it sits of course with Labour. And as of Saturday, it's come back home to them. But the reason they left, was it was widely perceived (and rightly so) that over a long period of time Labour had taken it all for granted, and Maori hadn't actually seen any real dividends out of the relationship.
So they up and left when NZ First came along and you had the famous tight five, and all the shambles that ensued as a result. Then came the Maori Party in its various forms, rising out of the seabed and foreshore scrap.
Now a couple of things - Winston Peters wants the seats gone, and his argument has been strengthened by the weekend's vote.
Maori want Labour to represent them, so for Labour to represent you, why do you need specific seats?
MMP has provided no shortage of ethnic diversity. So why do we still single out Maori for unique treatment electorally, especially when given the chance they don't vote for specific representation?
Hone Harawira is done, Mana is done, the Maori Party is done. NZ First is no longer pitching itself as a Maori party they way it once did.
So mainstream politics, in this case Labour, represent the issues and interests of those who choose to vote on the Maori roll.
So what's the point? Equally, what is it they want, in voting for a party that let's be honest may not even be in government?
And that's the sadness of the Maori Party demise. They got to government on the very simple premise that you get more done in government than you do out of it. How can you argue with that logic?
And why would you get punished for it? There wasn't a budget in the past nine years that didn't have specific money and policy announced as a direct result of the Maori Party being inside the tent.
