The choice for the Maori Party isn’t if they will reach an agreement with National but how.
In or attached to the government the party will be able to get real policy gains.
The alternative of three years in the wilderness of opposition in competition with Labour, the Green part, NZ First and Mana will do nothing for the party or its supporters.
It could also mean the end of the Maori seats.
National campaigned in 2008 on getting rid of the seats but dropped that policy as a concession to the Maori Party during coalition negotiations.
Act still wants the seats dropped. If the Maori Party chooses opposition rather than supporting the government in some fashion, National will be under no obligation to keep them.
Homepaddock 
National should be under no obligation to retain the Maori seats full stop. Assuming retention of MMP is the referendum option it seems logical that it’s revamp should include dropping the Maori seats – especially if the threshold to enter parliament is reduced to say 3%.
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In support of pdm @ 10.46 am
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