Can Pita Sharples afford not to be the co-leader of the Maori Party?

In light of Pita Sharples' reluctance to step aside as leader of the Maori Party and stated desire to retain his Ministerial position even if replaced in that role, I draw the reader's attention to this gem from an interview he gave to Claire Trevett back in February, 2010:

"Actually, I got so used to the increase in salary I told the Prime Minister you'd better be good because if the other guys get in, I'll go sell myself over there to keep my ministerial salary. I just got a new house, man - I can't afford it on a backbencher salary so I'm up for grabs."

That's a somewhat ... unfortunate quote to have floating around in the interweb.