to announce that were they to make it make into parliament they would go with Labour.   You start from the premise that voters on the Maori roll are Labour leaning and, given that, it substantially increases their chances of winning either the Te Tai Hauauru or Tamaki Makaurau seats (or both) provided the electorate is savvy enough to figure out they would be getting two MPs for the price of one.

The MP for Te Tai Hauauru, Adrian Rurawhe, is defending a 1,038 majority and while Peeni Henare, MP for Tamaki Makaurau, has a more substantial majority he is facing substantial criticism by Maoirdom for his handling of Whanau Ora.   However both of them are  assured of high placings on the Labour List.   Rauawhe is the Assistant Speaker while Henare is a Minister.    Their re-election is a certainty.

The Maori Party seems to be positioning itself in Maori politics as some would argue ACT is to National.   Able to go where Labour can’t afford to.    If Ihumatao remains a stumbling block for Pakeha Labour then the Maori Party will be gifted a strong electoral weapon.    A Labour/Green/Maori Party government would certainly go places a Labour/NZF/Green government can’t.

One doubts whether the Maori Party can make it over the 5% so it’s all about those two seats.    If they poll well but don’t win an electorate seat then that will play into the hands of National/ACT as some of their now wasted votes will certainly be ex Labour votes.

On balance it’s a smart move by the Maori Party.