Agreement between the Māori Party and National Party welcomed

The Māori Party signed a Relationship Accord with the National Party this afternoon called Te Tatau ki te Paerangi (a doorway to our horizons).

“The Māori Party is in Parliament to make a difference. We look forward to working constructively with the Government to progress issues that are important to whānau,” says Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Mr Flavell says after an intensive week of consultation with Māori Party members the message was clear.

“Our people said it’s vital for the Māori Party to be in Government so we can help reset the current landscape and deliver more tangible gains for Māori.”

Te Tatau ki te Paerangi provides confidence and supply in return for support of policy priorities. Those policy priorities include ongoing investment in Whānau Ora, a sustained focus on eliminating poverty through the Ministerial Committee on Poverty, a focus on Māori economic and regional development and encouraging greater Māori participation in the electoral process.

Te Ururoa Flavell will be appointed the Minister for Māori Development (formerly the Minister of Māori Affairs), Minister for Whānau Ora and Associate Minister for Economic Development. The name change for the Minister for Māori Development signals a more forward-looking approach.

“I’m committed to picking up more of the recommendations from the Ministerial Committee on Poverty and implementing Māori-driven strategies in health, housing, education, family violence, economic development and te reo Māori,” says Mr Flavell.

Māori Party Co-leader Tariana Turia says “While the two parties have disagreed more than we have agreed with each other on policy and legislation over the last six years we have always worked with each other in good faith and built a relationship on mutual respect.”

The two parties have also committed to an engagemed Māori organisations so it has a clear understanding of how policies are impacting on communities at a local level.

The Māori Party will continue to provide a strong and independent Māori voice in Parliament, raising issue and vote according to what it believes is in the best interests of Māori.

“I’m thrilled to have Māori Party List MP Marama Fox on board with me for the next three years. We’ve got a lot of work to do and I know she will be a great advocate for Māori and the party,” says Mr Flavell.

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