No surprise in party hook-up

Anna Wallis PHOTO/FILE

What to make of the Internet-Mana Party?

Marriages of convenience are what MMP politics is all about these days, so there's little surprise in the two hooking up, electorally speaking. Mana needs money and innovation, the Internets need an electoral seat to ride into Parliament on. The big question is: how long will they last?

Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom's previous big political move was a $50,000 donation to John Banks when he was a mayoral candidate.

Despite its founder's donation to a conservative politician, Internet and Mana have broad consensus on a number of issues.

We'd all jump for joy if internet connections were faster and cheaper. Specific Internet Party goals - restricting government surveillance, a review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, encouragement of clean energy and green technology and the reduction of social inequality - would fit with Mana's objectives.

Not so sure about copyright reform, though - presumably the Internet Party wants to reduce restrictions while Mana would seek more control over Maori intellectual property. For this election, at least, it will be intriguing to watch what an Internet Party brings - hopefully innovative use of social media and technology. If it lives up to its credo, the digital sophistication of electing Parliament could be about to leap a generation or two.

However, Hone Harawira, Annette Sykes, John Minto and tipped-to-be-leader Laila Harre making it as MPs - if it takes around 3 per cent of the vote and Te Tai Tokerau - doesn't exactly scream youth. And that's where Internet-Mana can expect to pick up a lot of votes.

This move could strengthen Mana's hand, but it may also be in danger of diluting the message to those Maori disaffected by the Maori Party's relationship with National.