Nats may concede on Maori seat issue

National looks ready to drop another hardline policy that has pitched it against the Maori Party in the past - Maori wards in local government elections.

And as well as Maori seats, it is being asked to consider an additional form of statutory Maori representation - a guaranteed place for the home tribe, referred to as those with "mana whenua".

National bitterly opposed a law passed by the former Labour Government allowing Maori seats to be set up in local government elections.

It was prompted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council wanting to elect Maori members to the council.

In 2006 local National MP Tony Ryall introduced a private members bill to repeal the law calling it "divisive and completely unnecessary".

The bill failed at first reading - which took place under the dying days of Don Brash's leadership of the party.

Under John Key, and as part of the support deal with the Maori Party, National's opposition to Maori seats under the general electoral system has been put on the back burner.

And it may be preparing to do the same for local government.

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance recommended two members on the proposed 23-member Auckland Council be elected from the Maori electoral rolls.

But it also proposed another member be appointed by a Mana Whenua Forum, the members of which would be appointed by mana whenua from the district of the Auckland Council.

That, however, has prompted Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples to call for two mana whenua representatives, one for Ngati Whatua and another for Tainui.

"The commission's proposals for a single seat are provocative and divisive," he said yesterday.

"Mana whenua must both be included."

"On top of that, [Auckland] has the largest Maori population in the world, drawn from tribes all over the country and their culture must be expressed in civic affairs."

Mr Key was non-committal yesterday when asked about supporting race-based seats in Auckland.

He said Dr Sharples comments were "entirely predictable" - he expected them from the Maori Party.

"From the Government's point of view we are considering that issue along with the wider report from the royal commission and we will be making some comments on that in the near future."