The Mana Party has confirmed an election year deal with Kim Dotcom’s Internet Party this morning.
The two parties will campaign together for the September 20 election as a newly-formed Internet Mana party.
Mana Party leader, Hone Harawira, will be number one on the Party’s list, followed by the leader of the Internet Party.
ONE News Deputy Political Editor Michael Parkin says getting the second spot is a “big win” for the Internet Party.
Harawira says there has been overwhelming support from Mana members for a formal arrangement with the Internet Party.
The two parties have been in talks since the Internet Party became registered earlier this year.
The leader of the Internet Party will be announced on Thursday, Harawira is aware of the person and is “comfortable” with it. He said last week that he would not campaign with the Internet Party if it was led by a Don Brash, Michael Laws or Rodney Hide.
Internet Party chief executive, Vikram Kumar, admitted today that his party would be putting more financial resources into the merge, but says the Mana Party offers other resources.
Meanwhile, the Maori Party has accused the Mana Party of using the Te Tai Tokerau seat as a vehicle to get the Internet Party into Parliament.
President Naida Glavish says Labour owes it to Maori voters to clarify whether it will advise its supporters in the electorate to switch their votes from its candidate, Kelvin Davis, to Mr Harawira, to ensure the parties are represented in Parliament.
Mr Davis and Labour leader David Cunliffe this morning told reporters they will run a two-tick campaign in the seat and have no plans of handing it to Mr Harawira.
Mr Davis, who replaces Shane Jones as a list MP, will be sworn into Parliament today.
Mr Cunliffe would not rule out working with the Mana Party and Internet Party when asked earlier today.
“We are not going to be making pre-election deals. What we will do is work with others who want to change the government after the election if its appropriate,” he told TV ONE’s Breakfast.
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