Tuku Morgan's resignation as Maori Party president turned down

Tukoroirangi Morgan offered his resignation after the party's disastrous showing at the 2017 election. Photo / Duncan Brown

Tukoroirangi Morgan has offered to step down as Maori Party president following a meeting yesterday to discuss the disastrous election result that saw the party fail to return to Parliament.

But co-leader Marama Fox said that Morgan had been convinced to stay on for now as the party goes through a transition period.

"He offered to step down and the membership asked him to stay on for the sake of continuity," Fox said.

Morgan is one year into his three-year term.
"For now and for continuity, Te Ururoa [Flavell] and I will also remain as co-leaders of the party," Fox said.

Flavell has previously indicated that he would not contest the 2020 election.
Fox said that she wanted to concentrate on a consultancy business for now, including helping to build low-cost, energy-efficient houses, and she was keeping an open-mind about contesting the election in 2020.

The party had supported a National-led Government for nine years, but this year lost the electorate seat of Waiariki. Without a seat and with only 1.2 per cent of the party vote, it was not returned to Parliament.

Fox said the meeting, at Waipapa Marae, discussed the reasons for the party's result and the need to have a "free and frank" look at itself.

She said there were a number of reasons for the party's poor result, including its support for National, and the rise of Jacinda Ardern and Kelvin Davis, whose position as Labour's deputy leader ensured voters that Labour would be a strong voice for Maori.