Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
Te Pāti Māori says it will run candidates in the general electorate seats at the next election.
Speaking after the Treaty Principles Bill was voted down at its second reading in Parliament, co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the party must always be prepared for further attempts similar to this bill.
Waititi said the bill has allowed for a conversation that is ill informed and he believes there must be more education about Treaty obligations.
"I believe we haven't had the education that everybody deserves to have in relation to our constitutional arrangements."
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said they need to be able to participate, but people do not want to be living in a nation that is divided.
The party holds six of the seven seats in Māori electorates.
