Turia quiet on domestic violence gagging allegations

Government MP Tariana Turia is remaining tight-lipped about conversations with the Women's Refuge chief executive, who claims Maori ministers asked her to stop talking about domestic violence.

A spokeswoman said Ms Turia had met Women's Refuge chief executive Merepeka Raukawa-Tait several times, but would not comment further.

Ms Raukawa-Tait told the National Party's annual conference that the Government had said to "pull my head in" when she lobbied for more money.

Ms Raukawa-Tait this month called for Maori to stop "pussyfooting" around the issue of domestic violence, after two high-profile cases of abuse of toddlers.

She told reporters that Maori ministers had made the comment but would not name them.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said he and Ms Turia had met Ms Raukawa-Tait last week but had not criticised her outspokenness.

"There was, however, concern [expressed] about the negative focus on Maori whanau and that balance needed to be provided to show that many Maori families are doing a very good job looking after their children."

Ms Raukawa-Tait said that when she asked the ministers for more money "basically they were saying I should put out positive messages about Maori."