February 21, 2017
Kawenata a chance for kaupapa Maori agenda
Mana movement president Lisa McNab says the kawenata signed yesterday with the Maori Party is the way to get an independent Maori voice back into parliament.
The Maori Party won't stand a candidate in Te Taitokerau, boosting Hone Harawira's chances of winning back the seat he lost to Labour's Kelvin Davis.
In exchange Mana is leaving the field in the other six Maori seats to give Maori Party candidates a clearer run.
Ms McNab says despite past differences, both parties stand for Maori interests.
"We have to remain focused and keep reflecting on parties that have had Maori members but not a Maori agenda, that those Maori members get shuffled and kicked to the side at the direction of the leadership of the day. For us as Mana, this is about a kaupapa Maori voice being at the table," she says.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com