Labour has traditionally commanded support from Māori, dating back to its alliance with the Rātana Church in 1936. CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF Former Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox has questioned whether Labour deserves the electoral support of Māori. Mana Motuhake in 1980 was formed out of a similar sense of frustration that Labour took its Māori support for granted. Next year is an election year, and Labour will be anxious to consolidate its Māori support. And Jones, in his blustering champion-of-the-people mode, will advance grandiloquent arguments about having to make up for nine years of National Party indifference.

Source: Stuff February 06, 2019 15:56 UTC