Today's meeting between Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has been described as "positive".
Te Ururoa Flavell and his wife, Erana, on election night. Photo: RNZ / Natalie Mankelow
Mr Key is holding discussions with previous support partners the Maori Party, United Future and ACT in a bid to increase his majority as he stitches together a new government.
He said Mr Flavell would likely be made Minister of Maori Affairs and have responsibility for the Maori Party's flagship Whanau Ora policy.
However, Mr Flavell would not say exactly what had been offered.
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"Very positive meeting that we had with the prime minister. Discussed a wide-ranging view of things, so we're just going to start the negotiations and see where we go."
The party would consult its members nationwide before any final decisions were made, he said.
John Key with National Party supporters on election night Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Mr Key was to meet ACT MP David Seymour, who yesterday said he would ask for a ministerial job, later today.
Mr Key has indicated both the Maori Party and United Future will receive ministerial postings - but a senior role is less certain for the ACT MP.
He was today is talking up the possibility of making the first-time MP Associate Education Minister.
"When they have more staffing and resources as a result of a junior ministerial role it is easier from both their perspective and ours - otherwise we'd have an MP pretty much on his own with an EA (executive assistant) and it's very difficult to manage that overall party-to-party relationship."
Mr Key said he would like to build a stronger relationship with New Zealand First over the next three years as well but that was unlikely to be in a formal capacity.
Meanwhile, Mr Key has received congratulatory phone calls from the leaders of the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia.
Mr Key said US President Barack Obama called late last night to say he looked forward to them working together over the coming months and years.
Mr Key believed it was unlikely Mr Obama would visit later this year after the G20 summit in Australia, saying the US President would love to come but had a busy schedule.