Maori Party accuses NZ First of trying to influence vote

Last updated 12:39 24/09/2008
Dominion Post
HEAVY HANDED: Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, right, says Labour and NZ First tried to pressure the party to oppose yesterday's censure motion against Winston Peters - but cabinet minister Parekura Horomia has denied doing anything wrong.

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Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says he talked to Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples about the Winston Peters' donation row but denies he did anything wrong.

Dr Sharples today said a government minister and a New Zealand First staffer tried to put pressure on his party over how it would vote in yesterday's censure motion against Mr Peters.

The party's spokesman could not immediately confirm if it was Mr Horomia whose comments concerned them. Dr Sharples had not wanted to name the individual as it was about the party rather than individuals.

The Maori Party, National, the Greens, ACT, United Future and independents Gordon Copeland and Taito Phillip Field backed the censure motion, with Labour and NZ First opposed.

Jim Anderton broke ranks with Labour and abstained.

The vote was to censure the New Zealand First leader following recommendations in a privileges committee report that found him in contempt for failing to declare the $100,000 that was used to pay the fees of his lawyer Brian Henry.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has publicly accused the committee of being politicised.

Today Dr Sharples said he was "disappointed" over attempts to influence his party.

"I personally had two separate phone calls from a senior minister urging me to vote in favour of Winston, and suggesting that there would be unpleasant repercussions from Maori people if I didn't," he said in a statement.

"Both (fellow co-leader) Tariana Turia and myself were disgusted with this kind of activity, aimed at perverting the course of justice and fair play."

Mr Horomia told NZPA he talked frequently with Dr Sharples and was due to meet him at 4pm today.

"We talk about a whole lot if issues."

Asked about the specific calls, he said: "We had discussions, we had discussions about a whole lot of things."

Mr Horomia said he had a "continuous open exchange" with the Maori Party.

NZ First had no immediate comment on the claim.

Dr Sharples said Mr Peters' fate would be decided at the election.

"His populist antics versus our integrity," Dr Sharples said.

 - NZPA

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33 comments
Wilson   #33   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Can Winston Peters disappear from New Zealand politics? We should target Key now... :)

Clint Heine   #32   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

No no no, you CAN trust Labour!

You can trust them to bully you, to lie to you, to influence what you think, to tell you what is best for you, to change facts into their interpretation of the truth...

Winston has some juicy stuff on Labour... there can be no other reason why Helen has played footsie with Winston for so long.

Gary   #31   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This just shows the length to which Winston Peters and the Labour led goverment is prepared to go too, to win the next election. I just wish the other parties that took their job serious (and reached what I would say the correct outcome) do not back these two parties in the future.

Ian   #30   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

When will it end? Now the Maori Party is getting in on the act, not by choice, I'm sure. Labor is or was hell-bent on sticking with Winnie. Just when the bulk of New Zealand's population thinks this drama is over, Maori comes forward and announces that phone calls were received insisting on the party's support for Winnie. These phone calls were, apparently, borderline threats. If Labor keeps this stirred, then come November Clark, Cullen, Peters and few few others are going to be flicking through the Want Ads. I noticed on the video yesterday of the debate, Winnie mentioned a word that began with "H" the Speaker of the House, told him to re-track it, which Winston did. Helen Clark was ripping into John Key and sitting next to Clark, was Cullen with a devious sneer on his face, what a horrible man. So what is the "H" word?

Robert   #29   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

And the Prime Minister says this election is all about trust. Meanwhile she gets her lackeys to pressure another party to vote with Labour's predetermined party line against all the evidence. Is that trusting in the course of justice or manipulating it? Corruption in this government is out of hand. HC should be worried that Labour will get 5% without concerning herself about her new best friend who has become political poison.

J Pratt   #28   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

And the Labour Party say we should trust them!! They really are dilusional! Jo - Canterbury

Michael Hamilton   #27   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I'm ABSOLUTELY SICK and tired of Winston Peters, I have been for quite a while, he DOES have his good points and he has done some good for New Zealand over the years, HOWEVER he's quite a hypocrite at times on matters, and I feel noone can trust him with real confidence, on anything really. That is of real concern and ought to be to Labour also. Owen Glenn is a man of integrity and conducted himself and his business affairs with good decorum. We ought to be able to have confidence in our MPs, and Winston unfortunately simply CAN'T be trusted, and is unreliable and also both he and Helen Clark are quite arrogant. John Key made the right, smart decision, to cut ties from Winston. Michael Hamilton (Lecturer in Ethics)

Dave(Tauranga)   #26   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I am encouraged by Turiana & Pita's integrity in the face of this corruption going on with Labor & NZF over Winston's Censure. They must think that the NZ public are dumb & cannot see behind this shocking display of behavior. The only hope for Winston is if he humbles himself. God(& most Kiwis) opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Its going to be a rough road for Winston otherwise - mainly downhill.

Richard   #25   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I was hoping everybody would have tired of this by now and moved on. But hopefully the dying gasps of this nonsense. Finally confirm for those who can see no wrong in the conduct of the current lot of politicians holding power. That when you hold power. The virtues the rest of the population hold are not applicable to you. The end game outcome has finally been exposed. The inquiry is held. Facts and truth don't actually count. And should not affect the outcome. It is all about loyalty. I have just fallen off my chair. You can lie, cheat, backstab assasinate characters, but this is inconsequential. Loyality is the virtue above virtues. This latest line of crap will for a long time stop me from falling into the assumption, that I have heard it all.

Grant Clifton   #24   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This is corruption at its worst. Good on the maori Party and all those who were not influenced by this utterly corrupt Labour Government, it really shows their true colours. For them to try an influence a democratic process for someone who was clearly not telling the truth is disgusting. I bet that 80% of Kiwis think winston was not telling the truth, but oh no not this corrupt labour government, lets twist and bend the truth and take the public for another ride, they really do think we are stupid. bring on the elections, if they get back in the lines to get on a plane to australia will be huge.


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