Maori had turned to Labour, she said.
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou chairman Selwyn Parata said he was disappointed that New Zealand would no longer have the strong advocacy and influence of the Maori Party in Parliament.
“The Maori Party brought a unique perspective and voice to New Zealand politics that is not going to be easily replicated.
“The Maori Party’s two representatives pushed National beyond their comfort zone, and achieved a number of significant gains for Maori.”
The Maori Party deserved “some credit where credit is due”.
That included Whanau Ora, annual increases in Vote Maori Development, establishment of Te Matawai and the Te Reo Maori Act, the Maori Social Housing network and the affirmation of the role of iwi and hapu in terms of the Resource Management Act.
“These are just some of the hard-fought gains they achieved and I for one am grateful to (party co-leaders) Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox and the Maori Party MPs before them.”
Matter of historyTe Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa chairman Stan Pardoe said Labour’s regaining of all seven Maori electorates was a matter of history.
He expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the Maori Party.
They may have been a “voice with the National Party” and were limited to a few issues.
What impact did they have on significant social issues for Maori like housing, unemployment and job training? he asked.
The party was “out of touch”.
Mr Parata praised the calibre of the Ikaroa-Rahiti candidates, Ms Whaitiri, Mrs Fox and Green candidate Dr Elizabeth Kerekere.
“Meka, Marama and Elizabeth are all talented, capable and passionate advocates for improving the wellbeing and prosperity of our region, the people and our environment.
“I congratulate them all for putting themselves forward and standing up for what they believe in.
“At the end of the day there could only be one victor and on Saturday that was Meka.
“Those who choose to exercise their vote have spoken. Nga mihi ki te tuahine nei kia Meka.”
Mr Pardoe said Ms Whaitiri was helped by her strong personal links to former Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP and Minister of Maori Affairs, the late Parekura Horomia.
Ms Whaitiri lived in Hawke’s Bay but visited the East Coast often and kept in touch.
Return to parliament?Mr Pardoe was asked if he believed the Maori Party could return to Parliament.
He said he had seen media reports suggesting former New Zealander of the Year Dr Lance O’Sullivan would stand for the party at the next election.
Dr O’Sullivan would probably give the party some credibility, he said.
Did Mr Flavell and Mrs Fox have credibility?
“It was limited,” said Mr Pardoe.
He declined to elaborate.
Wally Te Ua, an occasional Gisborne Herald columnist, padre and Vietnam War veteran, said Maori needed a strong independent voice, one not aligned to a major party.
“Until this happens Maori are a minority and will have to rely on the good will of current arrangements with major players.”
Mr Te Ua said his concerns had been vindicated by post-election comments made by former National Party leader Don Brash, where he described the Maori seats as no longer being useful and only serving to benefit Maori elites, and by Winston Peters calling for a referendum on the Maori seats.
Since the election, as one of the first negotiating positions to be clarified, Mr Peters has backed off on his referendum pledge — saying the expulsion of the Maori Party had changed the situation.
Mr Te Ua said many Maori blamed the Maori Party for “our current predicament and the issues across the socio-economic spectrum”.
“By association with the Nats, the Maori Party were not to be trusted —exemplified by their lobbying for Te Ture Whenua and other issues.”
Mr Te Ua said that could not overcome the “previous good work” by party founder Dame Tariana Turia on the foreshore and seabed issue.
