What will be the shape of the Maori Party deal?

Audrey Young speculates:

The Herald understands one Maori Party MP could become an associate Maori Affairs minister in return for the party abstaining on confidence and supply votes.

To get a bigger role the party is likely to have to support National, rather than only not opposing it.

I’d have some problems with the notion that a Minister of the Crown could abstain on supply and confidence votes for the Government. That weakens the bonds of Government even more. Next you’ll have Ministers able to vote against the Government on confidence and supply.