Turia gets into listening mode

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia last night kicked off a series of 30 hui in New Plymouth seeking clear direction from members on whether to support or oppose a minority Labour-led Government, or to take no position by abstaining.

Sources said inside the hui Mrs Turia highlighted the lack of influence the party would have in Opposition.

She also indicated to the hui the party had held talks with the Green Party and New Zealand First.

Greens co-leaders confirmed the meeting last night but said the discussion had been about issues of policy interest. They had not shared with each other what Labour was offering.

Mrs Turia this week said she did not want the Maori Party, with four MPs, to enter a coalition with Labour, the party she left in April last year.

There is no suggestion that Labour is offering coalition with the Maori Party either but Prime Minister Helen Clark wants as much support as her party can muster on confidence and supply and at the very least, to establish a working relationship with as many parties as possible.

Mrs Turia said on TVNZ's Eye to Eye programme last week that repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act was a "bottom line" for the Maori Party's support. But this week she said it was up to the hui to give direction on that.

More than 100 people fronted for the private meeting held at the Plymouth International Quality Hotel. A similar hui led by co-leader Pita Sharples in Gisborne last night attracted about 80.

Other hui were held in Invercargill and Whangarei fronted by the other two MPs, Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira.

Seven more are planned today in Kaitaia, Dunedin, Taumarunui, Kaikohe, Christchurch, Hastings and West Auckland.

Despite earlier indications from Dr Sharples that the hui would be open to the public, they were deemed closed affairs yesterday.

Dr Sharples said there were a number of options to consider including providing the Government with confidence and supply, entering a co-operation arrangement, or abstaining on votes of confidence and supply.

"We could also sit on the cross benches and vote on a case-by-case basis," he said.

Dr Sharples said he would not discuss his preference until he had spoken to members, however he re-emphasised the party's pre-election claims to be an independent voice for Maori in Parliament.

"We are mindful of not compromising our independence, and ability to defend Maori in Parliament."

The hui are due to finish by Sunday and the party's leadership is expected to meet Helen Clark on Sunday or Monday.

Helen Clark is heading back to Wellington today to pick up talks with other party leaders at a very complicated stage in Government formation.

Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons was not clear yesterday whether there would be a proposal to present to the Greens' special general meeting scheduled for Saturday.

"From our point of view getting it right is better than getting it fast, but we're not holding anybody up."

The Labour leader is holding one-on-one talks with four separate parties. Bargaining power is heavily affected by the outcomes of talks of other parties.

If, for example, Labour failed to win support on confidence and supply from United Future and the Maori Party, New Zealand First's position would become more important.

And United Future leader Peter Dunne, who has said he would not support a minority Government if the Greens held any ministerial posts, yesterday said he might oppose confidence and supply even if the Greens were outside Government. That would depend on what they had been offered in a deal.