Maori Party says merger with Mana Party unlikely

Maori Party president Naida Glavish. Photo / File / Martin Sykes

The Maori Party has formally approached the Mana Party for talks on how they can work together better but says a merger looks unlikely.

But electoral accommodations for next year's election to minimise splitting of the vote may be on the agenda.

Maori Party president Naida Glavish said in a statement this morning her party had approached Mana, which is led by break-away Maori Party MP and Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.

"It makes sense to open discussions with the Mana Party on an issue-by-issue basis but the question of merging with them looks very unlikely at this stage because of their position to only work with certain parties, which we think would be the to the political detriment of our people."

She said the Maori Party was founded on kotahitanga (unity), manaakitanga (caring) and whanaugatanga (kinship) "all of which emphasise the importance of relationships with other through the expression of generosity and mutual respect, and the Mana Party is included in that".

Mr Harawira has consistently urged the Maori Party to ditch its confidence and supply support arrangements with National, which it has now had for two terms.

He split with the Maori Party in 2011 to form Mana.

The Maori Party has three MPs, former leader Pita Sharples who is retiring from his Auckland-based seat of Tamaki Makaurau next election, co-leader Tariana Turia, who is retiring from her Te Tai Hauauru seat, and recently elected co-leader and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

Labour holds the other three Maori seats.