Labour hails Ratana connections

A strengthening of ties between the Ratana movement and the Labour Party was signalled today as the latter was warmly welcomed on to Ratana Pa marae, near Wanganui.

MPs today travelled to Ratana for the annual hui to commemorate the birth of the founder of the Ratana religious movement, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, and speak to locals about their political plans.

Labour arrived at the marae this morning and received what it said was an encouraging reception from the church.

"They expressed to me their support for Labour, their desire to see a Labour government and I think the speeches were far more positive than I have heard for several years," Labour leader Phil Goff said.

Speaking on the marae, Mr Goff emphasised the traditional relationships that existed between Ratana and his party, saying it continued today, into the 21st Century.

Mr Goff used the opportunity to question a number of recent National Government decisions, including cuts to education and funding and the 90-day trial period employment legislation.

Church spokesman Adrian Rurawhe also spoke about the reconnection between Ratana and Labour.

"The chairman has given encouragement to the Labour Party and to, in particular, the Maori members that are standing for Parliament this year.

"I think it's quite clear that Ratana movement and the Labour movement have been old friends and what we saw on the marae today was a strengthening of that relationship."

Earlier today, Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said MP Hone Harawira raised no problems with joining National in government at the time the coalition was signed,

Mr Harawira is facing a complaint from fellow caucus members after accusing the party of being too wrapped up in a coalition with National.

Mr Harawira said he had been told by many Maori that they felt the party had come off the rails.

Speaking ahead of today's Ratana celebrations, Ms Turia said Mr Harawira had been "totally" on board with the coalition when the party signed on.

"Certainly, when we signed up to an agreement with National, we all sang off the same song sheet," Ms Turia said.

"We looked at what National had achieved in the past with our people."

Ms Turia said there were a number of parties the Maori Party would look at working with.

"While we may not necessarily look at National and think they're what you would call a pro-Maori political movement, the fact is kohanga reo, kura kopapa, health services, social services, all of those things that Maori participate in independent of others today came out of the National Party, so we're saying we can work with anybody."

Mr Harawira is expected to meet with fellow party members to discuss the complaint at a hui on Thursday.