O’Sullivan wants to be sole leader

Stuff reports:

New Zealander of the Year Dr Lance O'Sullivan has said he would only take a leadership role with the Māori Party if it is a sole leadership role.

His statement comes after the resignation of party president Tukoroirangi Morgan, who has also called for co-leaders  and Marama Fox to resign to allow fresh talent to step up.

O'Sullivan is the front runner to become the Party's next male , but has said co-leadership is not the way to go.

“If I had an opportunity to have a leadership role, it would need to be in that sole leadership role,” he told Te Kāea

“I'm not a fan of co-leadership. I think you need a single leader and a single message coming through that's strong and inspiring.”

Dame Tariana Turia, the party founder and its first female co-leader, does not agree with O'Sullivan. 

“In the end I hope we maintain the kaupapa of two co-leaders.  I think it's very helpful to have male and female working constructively with each other,” she said. 

I agree with O'Sullivan that I think a sole leadership role works better for a party. But it is quite unusual to have a contender for leader say that he is only interested if the party does away with the co-leadership model they have traditionally had.

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