Maori Party MPs to discuss hui timetable

A consultation timetable for 'hui' will be among the post-election issues which will be discussed by the Maori Party's four MPs at a meeting tomorrow.

The party has promised to consult its people through 21 hui around the country on whether to enter any arrangement with a party or sit on the cross benches.

Consultation was to be held after the election but potentially pivotal special vote results will not be known until Saturday.

A party spokeswoman said yesterday that co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples and their two MPs Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira would get together for talks tomorrow.

"The consultation programme will be part of that. At this point we haven't confirmed the starting or ending point of the consultation but there will be consultation," she said.

Maori Party MPs have made it clear they prefer to be on the cross benches than give way on any of their bottom lines.

Dr Sharples recently said that there would be no movement on the party's requirement to retain Maori seats and uphold the Treaty of Waitangi.

The party also wanted the foreshore and seabed legislation reviewed and support for Maori initiatives.

- NZPA