Turia: Iwi want to be 'major players' in asset sales

Tariana Turia speaking at Whangaehu Marae after the election results.

Iwi want to be "major players" if the new National Government goes through with its planned state asset sales, Maori Party leader Tariana Turia says.

Prime Minister John Key is looking to form a new support deal with the Maori Party in an attempt to extend his party's razor thin parliamentary majority.

In an interview on Q&A this morning, Ms Turia refused to commit to a confidence and supply agreement with National.

When questioned on asset sales, she said iwi wanted to have the opportunity to buy large shares of any state assets put on the block by Government.

"Collectively if they come together they could be major players and hold those assets for New Zealand."

Ms Turia said she would be negotiating with National for long term "structural change" as a condition of any support agreement.

It had been too focused on winning short term gains in past negotiations, she said.

She was disappointed the Maori Party had leaked votes to the Hone Harawira-led Mana Party.

However, the party may still may be a vital part of Government if special votes see one of National's 60 seats redirected to the Green Party.