Turia won't lead new Maori party

By RENEE KIRIONA with the hikoi

Sacked Labour MP Tariana Turia has confirmed that she does not intend to be the leader of an inevitable and new Maori political party.

But she said she would fully welcome the birth of such a party and if asked, would seriously consider joining it as a candidate in the next general elections.

"There's a lot of positive talk about setting up a new party for Maori, but I'm not keen about being the leader," she said.

"That person needs to be someone who speaks fluent reo [Maori language] and I'm only semi-fluent."

Last night Mrs Turia, who still plans to run as an independent in the byelection for her electorate, received more than a thousand hugs and kisses when the hikoi against the foreshore and seabed legislation arrived at Moutoa Gardens in Wanganui.

But while the estimated 3000 people who turned out were eager to hear what she had to say, the mother of four and grandmother of 24 was content to sit back and listen.

"I'm not intending to give a formal speech because this is about the people, not Helen or me."

At present there are three registered Maori political parties: Mana Maori, Mana Motuhake and Advance Aotearoa.

But Mrs Turia believes the answer to an effective political voice for Maori lies in just one party.

"My suggestion is that those three parties come together along with more fresh blood."

Maori rights campaigner Tame Iti, who has previously run as a Mana Maori candidate, agreed there needed to be one party, but would like to see it contest all Maori and general seats.

Taranaki elder Huirangi Waikerepuru, who led the Maori language claim to the Waitangi Tribunal in the 1980s, said a new Maori party was inevitable but its makeup needed to be discussed.

"This is the spark, the catalyst of a new Maori political movement."

Angeline Greensill and Ken Mair, who are co-leaders for Mana Maori, said there was no better time for political change, but it was too early to say what the future of their party would be.

"I've done the stats on this and Maori have the power to determine who governs this country. My only real concern is that we have candidates with integrity."

Mrs Turia has admitted she told Prime Minister Helen Clark she would abstain on the legislation so she could stay in office and influence the policy.

In January she said the only "honourable" option for her was to abstain when the bill was debated in Parliament.

"I'm not prepared to cross the floor and vote with people who would do us worse harm."

But on Thursday, she and Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta will cross the floor to vote with opposition parties. But Labour has the support of the Progressives and New Zealand First to get the bill past its first reading.

Mrs Turia has told Radio New Zealand she made a political decision to say she would abstain.

"I wanted to be in the tent to be able to influence if I could, and I wanted to do that for our people."

Mrs Turia on Friday not only announced she would vote against the bill, but that she would quit Labour and Parliament on May 17, prompting Helen Clark to accuse her of duplicity.

A byelection in Te Tai Hauauru may now be needed, probably in early July, but with other parties indicating they may not field candidates, there is a chance the $450,000 contest might be avoided.

If no one else runs, Mrs Turia would be declared elected unopposed.

Helen Clark stripped Mrs Turia of her ministerial jobs on Friday, and Mrs Turia and her nine staff have until this afternoon to clear out their office at Parliament.