Horomia explains his hospital visit

12.00pm

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said today he was back at his Tolaga Bay farm after routine hospital treatment on Monday night.

"I had been meaning to have an issue of water retention looked at for some time and the parliamentary recess presented me with that opportunity," he said in a statement.

He said he would attend five hui during the two-week recess, including the national hui called by Hauraki iwi on the foreshore and seabed issue.

"I will be back in Wellington on Monday, after which I will take some time off before resuming full duties," he said.

Mr Horomia's health has been an issue before now.

He has an enlarged heart, is chronically overweight, and has asthma and diabetes.

He has also faced the stress of a concerted attack in Parliament over failings in the Maori broadcasting funding agency Te Mangai Paho, and his general performance as a minister.

Last month three of his Maori caucus colleagues expressed concern about his health, which opposition parties said was an attempt to undermine him by MPs who wanted his job.

It has also been suggested that they might have been laying the groundwork for Mr Horomia to resign for health reasons, should Prime Minister Helen Clark decide to replace him.

Miss Clark has consistently supported Mr Horomia and has expressed her confidence in him.

- NZPA