Māori Party in Parliament
The Māori Party registered with the Electoral Commission in July 2004 and first entered Parliament the same year on a by-election. The Māori Party had an agreement with the National-led government (2008-2011) and the co-leaders were Ministers outside Cabinet. With a further agreement for this Parliament, the Hon Tariana Turia and Hon Dr Pita Sharples are Ministers outside Cabinet in the National-led government from December 2011.
The party is currently represented in Parliament by three members; all representing Māori electorates. The party co-leaders are Hon Tariana Turia and Te Ururoa Flavell.
Agreement
‘The Māori Party agrees to provide positive votes of support for all matters subject to Confidence and Supply votes for the term of this Parliament to a National-led Government in return for National's agreement to the policy programme and other matters set out in this document.’
Source: Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Māori Party, 11 December 2011
Māori Party message
The Māori Party is for all citizens of this country. The party’s founding was an initiative of Māori, te kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea, for the benefit of all citizens of this land. [The party’s] policies and practices derive from kaupapa tuku iho that are values that provide for the wellbeing of all and are in a constant state of enrichment and refinement as insights are gathered from new experiences and discoveries. [The party’s] vision is of a nation of cultural diversity and richness where its unity is underpinned by the expression of tangata whenua-tanga by Māori, Te kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea and [the party’s] commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of this nation and to its whakapapa is steadfast.