Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz

Tena tatou Katoa. We have just had the recent Tai Tokerau by-election and the Maori Party will learn some lessons from the result. I am baffled by how people use their vote and the continued lack of understanding of the political situation. Clearly, we have much to do to change that and I am hoping these articles are a part of that process.

Perhaps we should get back to basics. What is the goal of a political party? To have an influence on policy (politic, policy) so that those we represent, our constituency, reap the benefits. If you are the governing party that's easy – just implement your manifesto. For smaller parties, you negotiate for benefits either by having ministers (as the Maori Party has now) or by moderating the stand of the major parties – if you are in a position to do that – which is where the Maori Party is right now.

The suggestion has been made that we cut ties with the National Government out of protest of some of their legislation.

The Maori Party sat on the fence for three years after the 2005 elections. We'd made it through the doors of parliament, but had no relationship with the government of the day and as a result, we made no gains. It's a bit like treaty settlements. There are many iwi who for whatever reason have taken so long to negotiate their settlements and to this day are still waiting. No gains. Just time passed by.

That takes me back to 2008 where the Maori Party signed a confidence and supply agreement with the National Party, following consultation with all of our electorates. This gave us the right to disagree on issues that didn't affect the budget, but also allowed us some gains. From that relationship we continue to make gains.
Returning to the analogy, some iwi have settled their grievances with the government. Okay, maybe they didn't get compensation for the true value of their lands, but they chose to settle, get the gains and move forward with a hope of creating more wealth for their people.

I can't help but compare tribes who have settled and created wealth and employment opportunities, against others who continue to drag out negotiations and remain in grievance mode. So it makes me wonder – are we happy to take small steps forward or refuse, stomp our feet and take 10 giant steps back – a bit like snakes and ladders. This will be a hot issue for our party leading up to the November elections and we will once again be guided by our membership.

I welcome your feedback. Phone 07 350 3261, email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz or post to PO Box 12028 Rotorua 3045.