The Māori Party has five members of Parliament. It has a confidence and supply arrangement with the National-led government.
Māori Party in Parliament
The Māori Party registered with Electoral Commission in July 2004 and first entered Parliament the same year on a by-election. The Hon Tariana Turia and Hon Dr Pita Sharples are Ministers outside Cabinet in the National-led government from November 2008.
The party is currently represented in Parliament by five members; all representing Māori electorates. The current party co-leaders are Hon Tariana Turia and Hon Dr Pita Sharples.
Agreement
“The Maori Party agrees to provide confidence and supply for the term of this Parliament to a National Party-led Government.”
Source: Relationship and Confidence and Supply Agreement between the National Party and the Maori Party, 16 November 2008
Māori Party message
’The Māori Party is driven by values that come from a Māori worldview, and believes strongly that such values are of benefit to all who call Aotearoa home. The values centre around building relationships between Māori and the Crown, between communities, and in so doing, provide a rich basis for development for the nation.’
Source: Maori Party, Our Kaupapa, Tuesday 10 May 2005
