Internet-Mana Party stands united for Road Trip wrap

Laila Harre and Hone Harawira faced up to 150 people at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara last night. Photo / Chris Loufte

One of the star acts was a no-show, but the show of unity was on high beam for the Internet-Mana Party's last "Road Trip" meeting last night - including a prediction the relationship would survive the post-election "break-up clause".

Internet Party leader Laila Harre and Mana leader Hone Harawira were determined to show harmony after a bruising few weeks on the campaign trail, including speculation of a growing rift prompted by differences over cannabis policy, Mr Harawira's brief absence and Mana candidate Georgina Beyer's criticism of Kim Dotcom.

Mr Harawira said he was "righteously proud" of what the two parties had done and welcomed the tension between them as healthy.

"We don't need to hide from all this rubbish about the divisions in Internet-Mana. Of course there's divisions - how do you put Annette Sykes in a room with Laila Harre, John Minto and Hone Harawira and not have tension? If we didn't, they'd all say what a boring bunch of people, they might as well be National Party members."

He said he was glad he had taken up the challenge of merging with the party Dotcom created.

"He didn't just create the Internet Party for fun."

Ms Harre said the decision to work together was the right one and she believed it would outlast the election, despite a break-up clause allowing the parties to split.

She thanked Mr Harawira and the Mana candidates "for the confidence that you continue to show in this relationship. It is a relationship that will take New Zealand into the future".

About 150 people turned up for the meeting at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara.

Although Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom was billed as a speaker, he did not show up - he was apparently busy organising the "Moment of Truth" presentation for September 15, at which he has said he will present evidence embarrassing for Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Harawira and Ms Harre were also keen to take the focus away from conflict over the decriminalisation of cannabis.

Mr Harawira challenged other party leaders to commit to supporting his "Feed the Kids" Bill when Parliament returns after the election.

They ran through a suite of "direct action" policies aimed at poverty.

Although both National and Labour have ruled out Internet-Mana for Government positions, it could still use its votes as bargaining chips for policy concessions under Labour.

It was the 25th and final stop of the Road Trip which kicked off at the top of the North Island in July, soon after the parties announced they would join forces to contest the election. Georgina Beyer was nowhere to be seen.