The Maori and Mana parties this week have sealed a long-anticipated tactical deal aimed at removing Labour from the six Maori seats the party holds. In return, Mana will not contest any of the remaining six Maori seats, giving the Maori Party a chance to retain the one it already holds — Waikiri — and displace Labour from the rest. National, under the leadership of Bill English, is likely to take a different view of electoral accommodations than former leader John Key. Electoral deals are part of New Zealand’s political landscape and more will come to light as the year progresses. Voters are best advised to weigh up the agreements and make their own decisions on the legitimacy of those deals.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2017 17:11 UTC