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Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori Party MP - Source: Maori Party
There could be a new face at the top of the Maori Party as early as next week.
ONE News has been told Te Ururoa Flavell is poised to take over from Pita Sharples as co-leader.
Flavell and Maori Party president Pem Bird flew into Wellington together today from Rotorua.
Bird said the plan to make the Wairakei MP co-leader "is an open secret".
Sharples has already said this will be his last term in Parliament but it appears he will lose the co-leadership in just days.
"The issue is around when and how so," Bird said, but it is believed the idea is to have a new leader in place around the same time a deal is struck with National.
"That would be the goal," Bird said.
Flavell would not talk on camera but he is expected to also take on any ministerial positions offered by National, meaning Sharples would also probably lose his Maori Affairs portfolio.
"I don't think you can have a leader without a portfolio of some sort of responsibility, so we're going to talk about that," said Bird.
Co-leader Tariana Turia has also indicated she will leave during the term so the party will also determine who her successor will be and when to force the by-election in her Te Tai Hauauru seat.
Bird hopes a plan will be in place within the next few days.
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