Retiring Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has defended its relationship with National.
Tariana Turia Photo: RNZ
The party is expected to return to Parliament with two seats, down from its height of five in 2008.
It met with Prime Minister John Key yesterday to discuss a confidence and supply agreement.
Mrs Turia said it is not the party's relationship with National that is damaging its name, and accused the Labour, Mana and Green parties of running smear campaigns against the Maori Party.
She said the Maori Party has achieved a lot with National's help, including starting up the Whanau Ora programme.
Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell is to return to the house as the MP for Waiariki, along with list MP Marama Fox after securing 1.29 per cent of the party vote in the general election on Saturday.