11 Jul 2011

Harawira 'not surprised' by Maori Party rebuff

12:53 pm on 11 July 2011

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says he is disappointed but not surprised the Maori Party has rejected an overture for the parties to work together.

Mr Harawira left the Maori Party after speaking out against its leaders, and won the Te Tai Tokerau by-election last month for his newly formed Mana Party.

He says he asked for a truce with the Maori Party so they could walk together rather than fight at the ballot box at this year's general election.

He says leaders from the Maori Party have snatched the olive branch from his hand, and tossed into the dirt.

The Maori Party says it will not abandon its voters in Te Tai Tokerau for the sake of a deal with Hone Harawira and the Mana Party.