The two Maori Party MPs in Parliament will make more difference than the six Labour MPs in Maori seats, Te Ururoa Flavell predicts.
A former teacher, Mr Flavell outlined the political situation to about 80 people who met in Wanganui on Wednesday night.
As the new Minister for Maori Development, Minister for Whanau Ora and Associate Minister for Economic Development, Mr Flavell has a lot to consider. He decided to go round the country asking people how he could help with Maori development - and he said people appreciated the opportunity to air their views.
In Wanganui he met with staff from the Ministry for Maori Development/Te Puni Kokiri and Maori business leaders, as well as holding the Wednesday night workshop.
Mr Flavell has Taranaki connections. He started the Maori Studies faculty at Taranaki's polytech, and its iwi radio station, Te Korimako. He's a friend of both Tariana Turia and Ken Mair, and brought Taranaki supporters to the Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens occupation in 1995. Before he was elected to Parliament he was also the commissioner who worked with Patea's primary and secondary schools and the formation of Patea Area School.