September 27, 2017
Maori lined up for cabinet posts
Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis says Maori will be well represented in cabinet if Jacinda Ardern gets the chance to form a government.
New Zealand First’s nine MPs will hold their first caucus today as they start the process of deciding which party they may form a coalition with, or whether they should stay on the cross benches.
Labour will conduct parallel negotiations with New Zealand First and the Greens.
Mr Davis says there is a strong bench.
"There’s Maori MPs in all of the parties, 13 in ours. Over half I think of the New Zealand First Party will be Maori. There is no doubt going to be Maori in cabinet positions but that comes down to Jacinda and myself having a good talk and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge yet," he says.
It’s unlikely there will be any decision on coalition arrangements until after special votes are counted on October 7, with the final declaration of the election result due on October 12.
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