In a surprise move Labour’s Maori seat MPs have opted to stand as electorate MPs only, and not go on the party list.

Labour Leader Andrew Little said the party was backing a request from its Maori electorate MPs in a move that was “a direct challenge by the Maori MPs to the Maori Party”.

“We’re confident our outstanding Maori electorate MPs will win their seats.”

The move is designed to increase Maori representation in the Labour caucus and could boost the chances of more Maori getting in on the list, such as broadcaster Willie Jackson and Northland candidate Willow-Jean Prime.

The party puts together the list and while Little doesn’t “have the right to instruct the party to do anything” he’s indicated previously that he wants people like Jackson in winnable positions on the list.

“I am backing all our candidates for our list and those relying on the list to get a winnable spot. I’ve said that about Willie Jackson and we’ve got great other candidates as well,” Little said.

While he wouldn’t confirm where the likes of Jackson and Prime would be on the list, he said he’s “determined to see new Maori MPs coming in after September 23 and that will be reflected in the list that comes out after April”.

“We will have a list that will be adding to our voices and numbers. It will include Maori voices on the list, new Maori MPs on the list that will go out.”

Under Labour’s rules a waiver can be granted for MPs wanting to opt off the party list “in special circumstances”.

“This is a statement of Labour’s intent,” says Labour Party President Nigel Haworth.

“They’re an excellent group of MPs who have Labour values and Maori aspirations in the forefront of all their work.”

Maori Vice-President Tane Phillips said the decision to grant the waiver underlined how important it was for Labour to secure all the Maori seats.

“We have a strong Maori team who have worked hard to promote what matters to Maori. They are looking for a mandate so we can really start making a difference for Maori in government.”

Little said the Maori Party had neglected their people for too long.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis is not only backing himself to beat Mana leader Hone Harawira but says there will be more Maori MPs in Labour post-election than any other party.

“There’s seven Maori seats – we want to win all seven of those plus we expect to see more come off the list.”

Labour disputes that the move is in response to any momentum the Maori Party has seen since joining forces with Mana and getting the endorsement of the Maori King in the Hauraki-Waikato electorate.

Davis said the Maori caucus had been discussing the issue for at least a month and it had nothing to do with what was going on in Maori politics - though he disagreed the Maori Party had any momentum.

“We approached the party and asked to stay off the list as a show of strength, unity and confidence in our ability to build on the success that we enjoyed at the last election,” he said.

Labour holds six of the seven Maori electorate seats, but faces a unity front from the Maori Party and Mana with the Maori Party agreeing not to run a candidate against Mana’s Hone Harawira in Te Tai Tokerau while Mana will not contest the remaining seats.

- Stuff