LEADER’S OFFICE
Media Release
17 October 2008

Key Must Explain His Maori Party Deal

Rt Hon Winston Peters has accused John Key of playing the country like the stock market over National's secret dealings with the Maori Party.

This follows Mr Key's admission he has privately indicated to the Maori Party that National's policy to abolish the Maori seats would not stand in the way of doing a deal after the election.

He also said he would be willing to look at the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Foreshore and Seabed Act, and the abolition of the dole.

Mr Peters said that National appeared to have abandoned everything it had been advocating since 2005 over Maori policy in its desperate bid for power.

“Mr Key kept saying he had no deal with Pita Sharples and now he has had to admit it. New Zealanders have the right to know exactly what has been agreed to between the parties before the election.

“Running a country is different to playing the stock market or speculating in foreign currency. You can't keep changing your position when the future of race relations is at stake.

“New Zealanders will not tolerate setting up a separate Maori state – just to give National a taste of power,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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