By Vernon Small
deputy political editor
With only three sitting days left before the election, Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere has declared himself a member of Parliament's newest political party - "because he felt like it."
Te Tawharau becomes the ninth party in Parliament and the fourth one-MP party alongside United (represented by Peter
Dunne), Mana Wahine (Alamein Kopu) and Christian Heritage (Frank Grover).
Mr Delamere, who represents the Te Tai Rawhiti electorate, will not cash in on the $77,000 a year in research money granted to Mrs Kopu when she was recognised in the House as leader of Mana Wahine.
"He did it because he felt like it. There is no question of money. He specifically told the Speaker he was not looking for money," a spokesman for Mr Delamere said. Mr Delamere was elected to Parliament in 1996 as a member of New Zealand First but split with the party when its coalition with National broke up.
He stayed on in Mrs Shipley's Government as an Independent MP and minister outside the cabinet.
Te Tawharau has already qualified for $18,000 worth of broadcasting time out of the $2,081,000 allocated by the Electoral Commission.
In all, 27 parties have been allocated broadcasting time.
Mr Delamere will be able to spend more of his own cash on election expenses as a member of a party. Independent candidates are allowed to spend up to $20,000 on their campaigns. But registered parties that put up a party list are allowed to spend up to $1 million and $20,000 a candidate on top of the $20,000 allowed to each electorate candidate.
The spokesman for Mr Delamere said Te Tawharau was formed in 1996 based on the principles of Maori prophet Te Kooti. It is allied to the Ringatu Church, which draws its adherents from the new Waiariki seat that Mr Delamere will contest.
The spokesman said no other candidates had been announced, but the party might stand in other Maori seats.
Tau Henare's Mauri Pacific is expected to follow Te Tawharau's example and seek parliamentary recognition before the House rises.
It has registered with the Electoral Commission, but its five MPs vote as Independents in the House and do not qualify for extra funding.
As Independents all Mauri Pacific MPs have been able to vote by proxy. Parties are required to keep a proportion of their MPs in the House in order to cast all their votes.
