Maori Party almost votes against Government

Prime MInister John Key and Deputy Prime MInister Bill English with their new team around the Cabinet table at the Beehive. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Government has survived the first confidence motion of the new Parliament -- but not without a hair raising moment after the Maori Party nearly voted against the Government.

Labour's traditional no confidence motion in the government was defeated by 57 to 64 after National, Act, United Future and the Maori Party voted against it.

However, the Maori Party's newest MP Marama Fox then tried to change the Maori Party's vote to support the no confidence motion instead -- something that would have been in breach of its confidence and supply agreement with National.

A quick phone call cleared up her confusion and she opted against changing the vote.

The Maori Party's agreement with National requires it to support National on all confidence and supply issues.

The Government's own motion following debate on the scene setting Speech from the Throne subsequently passed smoothly, also by 64 to 57 votes. Labour, the Greens and NZ First opposed it.