Prime Minister John Key mounted a strong defence of Education Minister Hekia Parata today in a speech during annual Ratana celebrations.
Mr Key said that while there had been many calls to sack her, he did not know of anyone who was more committed to Maori educational achievement.
He said earlier this week that Ms Parata had made mistakes last year in her first year as Education Minister but she had done a lot of things well and he had confidence in her.
Ms Parata was there, too, as part of the National Party delegation being welcomed onto the Ratana marae.
She talked to reporters, the first time since the resignation late last year of Education Secretary Lesley Longstone following a breakdown in the relationship between the two women.