Public excluded from Maori Statutory Board talks

There is a call for the Auckland Council to let the public into meetings on the funding of the Maori Statutory Board.

The council approved $3.4 million a year for the board but later reduced it to $1.9 million following an outcry.

The public has been excluded from the council's meetings on the issue today.

Auckland Councillor Christine Fletcher says both sides have been negotiating in good faith and have been making good progress.

"I just can't for the life of me understand now why we'd jeopardise that by putting it into confidential. I think it should be on the open agenda," she says.

Fellow councillor Cameron Brewer is also disappointed the meeting will be held behind closed doors.

"I believe the conversation, the debate, should be held in public, as do others, and that debate will also be had," he says.

Mr Brewer describes it as a political hot potato that has disappointed Maori and the Auckland public.

- Newstalk ZB