Tai Tokerau's Mana Movement supporters will not be left standing at the altar now the party is betrothed to the Internet Party, Hone Harawira says.
The Mana Movement leader, and MP for one of New Zealand's poorest electorates, and Internet Party chief executive Vikram Kumar announced the two-party alliance at a press conference yesterday.
Speaking to the Northern Advocate afterwards, Mr Harawira made no bones about the fact the new relationship is one of convenience, but reiterated that Tai Tokerau votes for Mana will stay with Mana.
It is only the party vote that Tai Tokerau's Mana voters will be asked to give the new Internet Mana alliance.
Each party in the alliance will retain its own identity, stand its own candidates in strategically chosen electorates and run a joint candidate list for the September 20 election.
Neither party will put up candidates against the other in any seat.
"They bring resources and we bring experience and our existing place in Parliament," Mr Harawira said when asked about the dowry the Kim Dotcom-funded Internet Party is paying.
At this stage the Internet bride does not have a written manifesto, has not publicly named its leader, has no existing seats and no political standing.
German-born Kim Dotcom who funds it is not a New Zealand citizen and is ineligible to belong to a political party.
However, the two parties share common ground in wanting the internet to be cheaper for everyone and free to low-decile schools, free education and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) "needs reining in", Mr Harawira said.
"We are not polar opposites. [Mana] can maintain faith with our principles and take our people into a digital future.
"I've yet to come across anyone who doesn't believe Maori should be embracing what the future holds.
"We're either part of that change or we're run over by that change."
When the Internet Mana alliance's joint list is compiled, Mana will take positions one, with Mr Harawira in that top position, three and four, while the Internet Party will fill the second, fifth and sixth spots.
The Internet leader - who will be number two on the list - will be announced tomorrow.
Mr Harawira said he had known for some time who it was but, because of the person's other commitments, the name could not be announced earlier.
Regarding Mr Dotcom's convictions for computer fraud, data espionage, insider trading and embezzlement, and US charges of criminal copyright infringement, Mr Harawira said "far be it from me to point the bone".
Mr Harawira said "hundreds" of new members had signed up since the engagement between Mana and Internet and only two people had resigned, senior member Sue Bradford quitting Mana yesterday.
Labour leader David Cunliffe said Labour and most New Zealanders "will be interested to see how that romance works out over time".
He said Labour's Te Tai Tokerau candidate, list MP Kelvin Davis, would be running hard to win the seat from Mr Harawira.