Rata's widow dumps party for Act

By Bernard Orsman and NZPA

Nellie Rata, widow of the late Matiu Rata, has walked away from the Mana Motuhake Party her husband founded to join Act. She claims divine intervention from her husband in support of the move.

"I've asked him and he's absolutely pleased for me," she said, when asked what Mr Rata might have thought of her selection to stand as Act candidate in the northern Maori seat of Te Tai Tokerau.

"He told me, 'Get on with it, Mum.' He reckons it's time I got out of my garden."

Mrs Rata became Act's hope for Te Tai Tokerau after failing to secure the Mana Motuhake nomination in the seat.

A grandmother of six and devout member of the Ratana Church, she noted light-heartedly yesterday that one would not find Labour and National in the Good Book.

"Act is the only name one could find in the Bible - the Acts of the Apostles."

Mrs Rata said she still believed in the principles of Mana Motuhake, of which she is a life member, but the Maori party had lost its way since joining the Alliance.

She believed Act stood for the principles and standards she lived by, but admitted signing up before learning about its Treaty of Waitangi policy.

Act is fed up with the "grievance industry" and has argued strongly for a deadline for full and final settlements, followed by the winding-up of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Mrs Rata and her late husband are strongly linked to the stalled $150 million Muriwhenua land claim.

The Mana Motuhake leader, Sandra Lee, said the party had no hard feelings about Mrs Rata joining Act and she wished her well.

Act president Sir Roger Douglas denied the party had selected Mrs Rata to capitalise on her name.

At the last elections, Act did not stand a candidate in Te Tai Tokerau and polled a dismal 238 party votes in the seat.