Piripi's fate will not be known for a week

12.10pm - UPDATE

The chief executive of the Maori Language Commission has today resisted calls for his resignation, although his future will be discussed at a board meeting next week.

Haami Piripi has been at the centre of an outcry after suggesting the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation could lead to civil war.

Opposition MPs have called for him to resign over his comments.

They have also called for the resignation of the commission's chairman, Patu Hohepa, after it was revealed he marched with the hikoi opposing the foreshore and seabed legislation when public servants were banned from taking part.

Crown entities, like the Maori Language Commission, operate under different rules to the core public service.

Dr Hohepa was today called into Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia's Beehive office to give an explanation.

After that meeting, Dr Hohepa told reporters the commission and its board had been caught in the centre of a "political, legal and media storm".

He said Mr Piripi's "actions, timing and comments have had inappropriate and unfavourable, unintended consequences that the board must consider when it meets next week".

However, he said the issue was not about Mr Piripi's performance as chief executive of the commission.

"This is not an issue of the chief executive's rights to act as a private citizen... He does have legal rights."

Dr Hohepa said he had a free and frank discussion with Mr Horomia today. The minister had made it clear that any matters to do with Mr Piripi's employment were solely for the board.

"He did make it clear that he had concerns about the actions of the chief executive, particularly when it has led to distracting the Maori Language Commission from its primary role of delivery of the Maori language strategy."

Dr Hohepa said the board took the matter seriously and would not comment further until it had deliberated and made its decision.

Mr Piripi said he had reflected on his actions and had learnt from this.

"I do appreciate that the language was not the sort of language that is appreciated by parliamentarians and I need to consider that in terms of the relationship this commission has with Government and with opposition parties.

"I accept that there has been an unfortunate incident, unfortunate publicity surrounding the submission that I made to the select committee and I accept that the board needs to address that issue," he said.

Mr Piripi said he would abide by any decision the board made about his future role as chief executive of the commission.

Mr Piripi said he owed it to his elders and Maori leaders to do a good job as chief executive.

"So, I will be working hard in the future to focus on my role as chief executive of this commission and get on with the business of regenerating Maori language..." he said.

The board is due to meet on August 12.

On Dr Hohepa's participation in the hikoi, Mr Horomia told reporters that a lot of people had marched in the hikoi, "not too different to a lot of people who marched in the Springbok tour".

"People do have rights. The hikoi was not just about the protest of legislation of the foreshore and legislation. The hikoi was about a whole lot of anxieties with a whole lot of organisations in this country."

Dr Hohepa said he did not see a comparison between the Springbok Tour and the hikoi.

"The Springbok Tour was something that involved the whole nation. The march and the consequences of the submissions impact more on Maori in this country."

- NZPA