12 Sep 2014

Government role key - Maori Party

1:35 pm on 12 September 2014

The Maori Party has been able to introduce policies to help poor families because it has been part of the National-led Government, the party's co-leader says.

The Mana Movement is making eliminating child poverty and feeding hungry children its major policy priority.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said the difference between the two parties was that the Maori Party was doing something about the problem - not just talking about it.

He told Radio New Zealand's Nine to Noon programme the Government's programme to provide breakfast for low income children was an example of that.

"If you do not get the numbers over the line you cannot achieve it. We've done it. Why? Because of that relationship we've been able to work with National."

Mr Flavell said he could work with either National or Labour in a future government.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

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