KEY POINTS:
National has locked in a deal with United Future leader Peter Dunne for support arrangements, with ACT and the Maori Party likely to follow soon.
Mr Dunne today said he and National had concluded negotiations and agreed a deal.
"It's not signed yet, but the agreement is complete," he said.
The two parties would sign the agreement once Mr Dunne was shown the deals with ACT and the Maori Party - to ensure there were no inconsistencies in the policy concessions handed out.
Mr Dunne would not comment on the ministerial role he will receive, but he is expected to retain the Revenue Minister position he held under Labour.
ACT leader Rodney Hide yesterday said progress was being made on policy in his party's negotiation with National.
It is likely his deputy Heather Roy will be offered the consumer affairs minister position outside Cabinet and Mr Hide is also likely to get a business-related position.
The Maori Party are conducting 40 hui getting feedback on whether they should support National in return for policy concessions on the Maori seats and the foreshore and seabed legislation and ministerial positions outside Cabinet.
The party says it has been getting positive feedback from hui.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the constituency wanted the party to be in "a strong position of influence, to look out for their interests" and there had been no dissension.
The party's Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira, rated support at about 98 per cent.
The party assured people that it would remain outside Cabinet and keep its independence while making advances for Maori.
"If it's possible for us to get appointments with budgetary responsibility outside of Cabinet and the trade-off is not something too nasty, then why not?"
Labour leader Phil Goff said the party was binding itself to National for three years without knowing what its policies would be. Mrs Turia said the remarks were "bloody patronising".
With the Maori Party, ACT and United Future giving confidence and supply National would have 70 votes, an overwhelming majority against the 52 held by Labour and the Greens.
- NZPA
