Maori results benefit all, Key tells Nats

Pita Sharples (L) and John Key hongi during a welcome onto Hoani Waititi Marae. File photo / Steven McNicholl

Prime Minister John Key and other ministers have defended the National Party's advances on Maori policies and its partnership with the Maori Party in government.

Party faithfuls at a regional conference in Masterton were given the message that they might not agree with all the outcomes, but they should trust the instincts of their leaders as the moves were for the long term good of the country and the party.

Mr Key later denied being defensive and said he was trying to counter the "scaremongering" coming from people such as New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

Mr Key's speech mentioned the foreshore and seabed law repeal, Treaty of Waitangi settlements, and whanau ora social service delivery which will be given funding in next month's Budget.

"Some of what we do in this area will, I understand, challenge you and other New Zealanders , and there will always be extremists in the debate who falsely characterise things in a way that may even frighten you.

"Let me be clear - there is no room for separatism in New Zealand. What there is room for, however, is solutions that help us to lift Maori achievement and aspiration, because that benefits all New Zealanders.

Mr Key entered a confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party even though it had more than enough votes with Act and United Future to govern without it.

"I did it because I believe it is in the long term best interests of New Zealand.

"The relationships we have with three parties mean the National party can look forward to providing stable government well into the future, not just this term, but with the continuing support of the voters beyond that."

Referring to the question of whether ownership of the Urewera National Park would be offered to Tuhoe in the settlement being negotiated , Mr Key acknowledged this was what Tuhoe wanted.

"But I can't comment on whether that is what the Government would be prepared to entertain ... but I would certainly acknowledge it would be contentious."

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English's Saturday speech repeatedly referred to how the party would not like some of the decisions.

He said the Government was going to be involved with some decisions "that you don't like, some decisions you may disagree with".

"All those decisions are being made in the context of a longer term view, reaching our objectives over the next four or five years.

"The parliamentary team have very sound instincts about most of these issues."

Mr English said the present National caucus was the most "rounded" he had been in.

"And, along with the leadership of the Prime Minister, in my view it is making sound decisions even if they are not always the decisions that you feel directly comfortable with."

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson said National had promised settlement of historic outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims by 2014.

"I make no apologies for the fact that I was given a job to do and I'm doing it."

But every time there was a settlement there were "mean-spirited people" out there who would have a go.

Responding to a question from a delegate on repeal of the foreshore and seabed law, he acknowledged that "badly handled, it can blow up in our faces."