THE DOMINION POST: ACT Party leader Rodney Hide says it will be damaging to the New Zealand political system if the Maori Party finds itself in the role of kingmaker after the election.
Mr Hide told Waatea News this morning he was opposed in principle to ethnically-based political parties exercising undue influence on the political system.
"If the Maori Party is in the position to play kingmaker (after the election), that could be very damaging for the Maori Party and MMP politics," he said.
"People will think hang on, how come these people in these (seven) Maori seats where I cannot vote are getting to decide whether it is going to be Helen Clark or John Key who is going to be Prime Minister.
"That does not seem on the face of it fair.
"It is no disrespect to the Maori Party but I think that would be a hard one to explain."
Mr Hide suggested Indians, Chinese and other ethnic groups enrolled to vote might well be asking themselves about their own ethnic group's levels of influence on the political system.
The Maori Party is scheduled to release its major family and economic policies at the Te Aranga Marae in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere this afternoon.
TV3 and Roy Morgan polls published last Friday revealed the Maori Party could hold the balance of power following the November 8 election.
The Maori Party holds four seats and has mounted a concerted campaign to take the remaining three from Labour - Hauraki-Waikato, held by Nanaia Mahuta, Ikaroa-Rawhiti, held by Parekura Horomia, and Te Tai Tonga, held by Mahara Okeroa.
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