Hi Asher,

Ooops, I didnt mean to imply that the Maori Party currently is a left wing party, in the sense of being significantly class/worker oriented. I meant that it seems roughly no more or less so than the Greens. So I wonder about this supposed support by radical left for the Greens, but not the Maori Party? Especially considering the 'tripod' explanation should also create radical left support for the Maori Party?

Since the Greens seem to have a more middle class support base and perspective, the Maori Party seems to have more potential than the Greens for moving to the left, either from internal pressures, or from some form of external competition.

But that doesnt look like its happening with the Greens. And the current leadership of the Maori Party would seem to need to be challenged from the ground for any significant change in direction.

But thats strategic thinking once again. It doesnt seem justified in this situation, because I assume radical left people voting for the Greens will be voting tactically (well, why vote at all if taking a purely strategic approach).

Such tactics might make equivalent sense with the Maori Party, regardless of how the strategic significance, including class, was understood.

The Maori Parties potential electoral support seems currently much greater than the Greens. So I think any useful analysis of voting from a left perspective needs to also include the Maori Party, or seem largely irrelevant, even though the Maori Party isnt currently a left party.

cheers
Steve L