Tukoroirangi Morgan has been elected the president of the Māori Party. He and George Ngatai, the chairman of the Tamaki Makaurau wing of the Māori Party were the two candidates. The question is now, what is his strategy to revitalise the party, and will he stay in his many roles within Tainui?
The new president of the Māori Party has only one request, “For all the whānau, hapu and iwi to return to the Māori Party.”
Morgan was elected at the party's AGM today. He and George Ngatai were the two candidates, after Naida Glavish withdrew this morning. Morgan brings his experience as a former politician for New Zealand First, and he's wasted no time taking aim at Labour.
“There is no point in being in opposition. Our people don't get any value out of that. That is Labours position.”
He was very clear about whether this will compromise his positions at Te Arataura, and as a spokesperson for the king.
“I'm not going anywhere!”
The main focus for the new president is to take the 6 Māori seats currently held by Labour. But he will not take it upon himself to stand against his relation Nanaia Mahuta in Tainui.
“I've had my time in politics!”
The election is only a year away, so we will soon see the substance of his words, to claim all the Māori seats.