Labour keen to strengthen Maori links

Labour leader David Cunliffe speaking at Ratana Pa. Photo/Bevan Conley

Labour leader David Cunliffe has been welcomed on to Ratana Pa for the first time as the party leader - the third the church followers have been faced with welcoming in the past four years.

Before being welcomed on to the marae, Mr Cunliffe said he believed Labour's long links with the movement were moving on to a new generation - Labour has selected Adrian Rurawhe, the grandchild of the movement's founder, prophet Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, as its candidate in Te Tai Hauauru.

Mr Cunliffe was hopeful that selection, as well as the retirement of Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, would mean Labour would reclaim the seat.

Prime Minister John Key was welcomed onto the marae on his eighth visit as National leader later in the day.

Ratana speakers from the paepae raised issues such as job opportunities and lack of affordable housing.

The Ratana anniversary is usually the starting line for the political year, where parties begin jostling for the Maori vote.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell and minister Pita Sharples went onto the marae as part of the Government grouping with National.

The Green Party MPs went on with Labour.

However, Mr Flavell and Dr Sharples said that did not necessarily indicate they were wedded to National post-2014. Mr Flavell said the Maori Party was aware that many Maori were not enthusiastic about its partnership with National, and the party would consult Maori before making any decisions after the 2014 election.

Dr Sharples said some of the process of building closer links with Labour had begun, and he believed it was time to consider Labour as an alternative.

He said the Maori Party had consistently said it would work with either party - and was the only party beside New Zealand First, that both National and Labour had listed as potential support partners.

Mr Cunliffe attended with about 20 Labour MPs and sat flanked by his deputy Grant Robertson and Maori Affairs spokesman Shane Jones.

In the powhiri, Mr Cunliffe delivered a lengthy mihi in te Reo, assisted by handwritten notes.

He then spoke of the long relationship between Labour and Ratana and said the party was ready to take on the challenge Ratana had set down to Michael Joseph Savage to look after Maori people.

"We ask you for your confidence to renew that relationship."

He said he had heard the concerns of the morehu, especially over jobs and housing. He said attention had to move towards developing iwi now that the settlement process was almost over.APN News & Media