Tariana and John

The Dom-Post is reporting that Tariana Turia has said clearly that the Maori Party would be happy to work with National to form a government post-election:

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has made it clear she would be happy to work with National to form a government following the election.

She made the point when asked to comment on the findings of Marae Digipolls in four of the seven Maori electorates in the past two weeks finding Maori voters overwhelmingly wanted the Maori Party to work with Labour after the election.

While speaking on TVNZ's Marae programme today Mrs Turia said she believed Maori would want the Maori Party to work with a government - National or Labour-led - which would give Maori what they wanted after the election.

"If National was prepared to meet the aspirations of our people I can't see our people saying no, you wait in opposition for another term and we'll wait until Labour finally makes it back into government."

She said the Maori Party had to operate realistically within an MMP environment which might require it to work with a National or Labour-led government.

"We've got a responsibility to do something and that is what we are going to do," Mrs Turia said.

These are welcome words from Mrs Turia, who just happens to live around the corner from the Inventory whare (Mrs Inventory would die for the view from Tariana's place!). The Maori Party looks to have cemented its place on our political landscape, and has impressed with its integrity throughout its first term. And it is a natural partner for National - neither party has yet breached the Electoral Finance Act, unlike thos parties which supported it!