The Maori Party's founding co-leader Pita Sharples has used his last speech to the party's annual conference to defend the decision to work with National.
Dr Sharples will step down today and his fellow MP Te Ururoa Flavell is expected to be elected uncontested this afternoon.
Dr Sharples said the
Maori Party's rivals used its relationship with National to attack it.
"So many of our people have been Labour voters, so they use this to turn people against us. 'Don't vote for them, they're in bed with National.' National/Labour, what's the difference?"
He listed the gains the party secured under National, beginning with ensuring the Maori seats were retained.
