October 20, 2017
MPs keen to keep faith with Maori
Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis says retention of the Maori seats was a bottom line for Labour in coalition talks.
In choosing to go into coalition with Labour, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told journalists he did not get enough votes to push his campaign promise of a referendum on the seats.
Mr Davis says Labour is keen to start work on a government that delivers for all New Zealanders and Maori are a vital part of that mix.
"Really our only bottom line was that the Maori seats don’t go. We’re acutely aware as the 13 Maori MPs in Labour, I think half of New Zealand First’s caucus is Maori and Marama Davidson in the Greens, there is massive Maori representation and we know we have to get some wins for our people," he says.
Mr Davis says Labour realises what is good for Maori is good for all new Zealand and gains in Maori education, health, employment and housing are high on the agenda.
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