By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter
Political novice Parekura Horomia is set to become the new Minister of Maori Affairs when the Prime Minister judges it is time to hold a caucus ballot.
And Labour's Maori caucus chairman, Waiariki MP Mita Ririnui, appears to be the front-runner as the new associate minister outside the cabinet to replace Mr Horomia.
But Helen Clark suggested yesterday that the caucus ballot might be a month away.
"We're not actually intending to rush into the matter. I think colleagues want time to reflect on what's happened and what kind of person would be the most suitable."
Caucus votes for the cabinet only; the Prime Minister appoints associates.
Mr Horomia has been an MP for just seven months. The 49-year-old beat broadcaster and Independent candidate Derek Fox in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat by 695 votes.
He was one of the most senior Maori public servants, heading the Community Employment Group in the Labour Department, and is regarded as Helen Clark's favourite - he is now Acting Maori Affairs Minister. The widower and father of three sons is from Tolaga Bay.
Other contenders are Alliance minister and Mana Motuhake leader Sandra Lee, and Labour's Tariana Turia, the other Associate Maori Affairs Minister.
Ms Lee's Alliance colleague Willie Jackson is lobbying for her, saying: "No disrespect to Parekura, but she's miles ahead of any of the Maori candidates in Labour.
"She has got the history, she has got the credentials, she is in her third term and it would be great if Labour acknowledged the Coalition partner in this sense."
But neither woman has a constituency Maori seat and neither is fluent in Maori.
And Helen Clark has said that Maori voters who enthusiastically endorsed Labour last election will expect a Labour minister.
Despite some support from Maori for the Prime Minister to take the job, she has all but ruled that out.
"My concern would be that with the many responsibilities I have, I could not do justice to the job.
"I would like to support the next minister and the associate ministers through chairing the Closing The Gaps committee."
The other contenders for the associate's job are Te Tai Hauauru MP Nanaia Mahuta and Hauraki MP John Tamihere.
But Mr Tamihere has done his chances no good with open criticism of Helen Clark's handling of Mr Samuels' dismissal.
And he has accused Maori caucus MPs of lobbying for the sacking to further their own careers.
But he may be a compromise choice for Helen Clark to mollify the Labour right if their sense of grievance over the dismissal festers.
Mr Ririnui said the episode had led to personal acrimony between some Maori caucus members.
The Maori caucus will meet to vote for a preferred candidate for minister. That preference is then put to the whole Labour caucus, but does not preclude others standing.
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Should Dover Samuels have been sacked?
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