PM exploits stance

Jenny Shipley is delighted that Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere has nailed his colours to Labour's mast.

The Prime Minister used the opportunity yesterday to associate the concept of Maori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga, with Labour.

"We are not going to have tino rangatiratanga advanced in New Zealand under a National-led government."

Mr Delamere, a former NZ First MP turned Independent, now leads the three-party Mana Maori Movement coalition, which says it will support a Labour-led government.

Mrs Shipley said: "He is fulfilling his job as Minister of Immigration as people have seen in the past week ... It is quite proper that people stake out their positions."