| Friday, July 20, 2012 6:00 AM

You've got to give it to the Maori Party, they know how to whip their supporters into an anti-Government frenzy, and then spin like humming tops when they meet their Nemesis.

Tariana Terrier, looking like Che Guevara in a black beret with a Rangatiratanga symbol on the front, told us last week she was going to consult her followers after State Homie John Key made disparaging remarks about the Maori Council case for water ownership before the Waitangi Tribunal.

The clear implication was that she was going to turn her back on the Nats, although she said that was a media invention. She did admit though to being very disappointed when she was asked whether she wanted The Homie to apologise. She didn't say no, but said she'd see what happened at a meeting she had with him.

So the expectations of that meeting had been hyped, there was a slight scent of blood, and the media gathered en masse. After an hour and a half the diminutive figure emerged with the now familiar smirk.

She was dwarfed by a bank of cameras and microphones pointing down at her at a time when most women of her age would be rugged up with a nice warm cuppa.

So was The Homie gracious? Did he apologise for raising the hackles of his recalcitrant support partner? Well the pacified Terrier was appeased, he didn't need to apologise she told us, he gave her an explanation of why he said what he did and she accepted it.

She could have saved herself the late night out, all along The Homie had been stating the bleedingly obvious, in particular that Waitangi Tribunal findings on the ownership of water rights don't have to be followed by the Beehive.

So what was the point of all the posturing and how could the Maori Party save face?

Well, when you're a minor partner of a major party in Government you have to assert your rights, you have to be heard so that your followers know that you're still alive. And The Terrier proudly announced the Government wasn't now going to legislate on water rights.

But hang on a mo, they never were - but then that's spin.

The Homie did get one thing wrong though. The chances of delaying the asset sales process was as likely as a meteorite hitting the earth he told us - well that happens ever 13 minutes, which should give Maori some hope - fat chance!

Photo: Getty Images