Marama Fox struck a defiant tone in a speech Saturday as her impending loss to Labour candidate Meka Whaitiri became clear.

Marama Fox struck a defiant tone in her speech as her impending loss to Labour candidate Meka Whaitiri became clear.

Fox said on Saturday night that commiserations were in order for Ikaroa-Rawhiti as they were "about to have a member of parliament who is going to sit in opposition" but saved her strongest words for the king-maker, Winston Peters (NZ First).

"You're about to have a man that, no matter which party rules, whether it's red or blue, this guy wants to get rid of the treaty - out of every piece of law," said Fox, "this guy wants to get rid of Māori seats, wants to get rid of an independent Māori voice."

DAVID WHITE/STUFF Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell had a horror night, which saw the Māori Party kicked out of parliament.

Fox echoed Te Ururoa's appeal on the campaign trail for Māori to use their votes strategically.

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"What I think the whānau have done is they've gone back to the mothership," says Fox, "They've gone back like a beaten wife to the abuser who has abused our people over and over again."

While Fox's speech- given as she stood surrounded by whānau at her election headquarters- had all the hallmarks of a concession speech, she refused to officially concede defeat.

"I don't concede because conceding means that we let red and blue government rule our people like they've done so for a hundred and fifty years.

"I don't concede to that. Not ever. We'll be back to fight another day."

- Māori TV