Green/Maori accord

Late last week there was some talk of a Green Party/Maori Party accord. A reference to it in a newspaper provoked some discussion on talkback. Political commentator Richard Griffin was canvassed on the matter and more or less said the day that happened would be the day hell freezed over. I had to ring and disagree. I can see a number of areas of commonality;

1/ Tino rangatira tanga - the Greens support the idea of self-determination for Maori. Their MP Metiria Turei is very active in this area and the Greens have a Maori campaign to effect this.

2/ I know Maori who voted Green purely on the decriminalisation of cannabis policy. If Hone's tobacco prohibition puts off potential voters then the Greens decriminalisation of cannabis might attract them.

3/ The Green attracts a young vote. Maori are a young population.

4/ Both parties are supporting the Child Poverty Action Group's court action to have the In Work payment paid to parents on benefits. The Greens and Maori are strongly pro-DPB.

5/ Both have collectivist philosophies.

6/ The Maori Party supported Bradford's anti-smacking legislation despite many Maori being against it. Titiwhi Harawira in particular.

7/ The Greens will support repeal of the Seabed and Foreshore legislation.

8/ Both parties (think Hone and Keith) are very vocal in the area of ethic minority rights, here and outside of New Zealand.

9/ They are both on the left of the political spectrum.

10/ They both love reggae and idolise Bob Marley

Sorry, the last was flippant.

But far from being an impossible scenario I can see how these two parties can scratch each others backs politically and together decide which main party forms the next government. "It's not over till the fat lady sings..." could literally have us looking to Tariana Turia to fill her lungs and let rip.