Maori unhappy with Key's leadership

File photo / Steven McNicholl

The vast majority of Maori are unhappy with Prime Minister John Key's leadership on Maori affairs, according to a new poll.

A Te Karere DigiPoll surveyed 1000 Maori voters last month and found 70 per cent of respondents did not think Mr Key provided good leadership on Maori issues, while 17 per cent did, and four per cent did not know.

Labour leader David Shearer fared slightly better, although Maori still appear to be weighing him up.

Of those surveyed, 28 per cent thought Mr Shearer provided good leadership on Maori issues, 16 per cent did not, and 56 per cent did not know.

Mr Key said he was not surprised by the results.

"We've just come out of an election in 2011, we actually increased in strong support from what we can see from Maori."

The poll also questioned Maori about their support for the Government's plan to sell shares in state owned assets, and found an overwhelming majority, 88 per cent, opposed the plan.

Just eight per cent supported the plan, and four per cent said they did not know.

The poll was conducted between January 6 and 27, before consultation with iwi began on the Government's asset sales plan, including whether a Treaty of Waitangi clause should be removed.

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 per cent.