Fox eyes return to politics

Embattled former Ma¯ori Party coleader Marama Fox is eyeing a return to Parliament in 2023, but says she’s focused on her current cashflow problems at present.

Fox, whose consultancy company was liquidated last week, estimates she owes about $156,000 to creditors but says she’s determined everyone will be paid back.

Her business problems prompted her to offer her resignation as coleader of the Ma¯ori Party last week, an offer that was accepted by the party this week as more stories emerged of businesses being left out of pocket by Marama Fox’s consultancy group Tapui.

Fox set up the business, aimed at building affordable homes for homeless and low-income families, after she and fellow co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell lost their seats in Parliament at the last election.

“Last week when we weren’t able to hold off liquidation any longer in regards to my company, I immediately rang and offered my resignation. I worked really hard to promote the Ma¯ori Party, to keep it relevant, and I don’t want the Ma¯ori Party brand to be tainted by my personal business affairs, so I thought it was prudent to do that,” Fox told the Herald yesterday.

Fox said she loved politics and it was crucial to include a Ma¯ori perspective in all parts of policy.

“That was always my goal, to try to highlight that, on behalf of my party and on behalf of my people.”

Fox will not be contesting the 2020 election but she would consider another tilt in 2023.

Fox’s departure leaves the Ma¯ori party without any leaders after Flavell stepped down in July.

President Che Wilson told RNZ on Wednesday the party would be contacting a range of people about the leadership position.

It has been a tumultuous year for Fox. Following a stint on Dancing with the Stars, Fox revealed in July that she and Ben, her husband of 29 years, had split and she had moved out of the family home.