The Maori King and the Prime Minister drew the battle lines, with the former saying "Maori'' and the latter saying "No One''. Today, two legal academics explore the deep currents that lie beneath each claim.

Tariana Turia says the water debate has provided people with is a perfect opportunity to explain to each other why we feel the way we do about water.

Meetings between two heavyweight Tainui leaders are under way to iron out internal tribal confusion around water ownership issues before iwi negotiate with the Crown.

The push for Maori unity of water rights negotiations looked in danger of unravelling yesterday after one iwi asserted its right to negotiate as it saw fit with the Government.

More empty chairs than people filled the Government's first "shares plus" consultation hui in Hamilton last night.

Prime Minister John Key is unconcerned with reports iwi will boycott the first "shares plus" hui today, saying they are "more than welcome" to choose not to attend.

The water rights issue heats up as Tuku Morgan replies to the PM's dismissal of Maori ownership, by calling him 'culturally ignorant'.

How the PM might respond to the Maori King's water-rights claim.

Prime Minister John Key says King Tuheitia's claim that Maori have always owned New Zealand's water is "just plain wrong".

Maori King Tuheitia challenged the PM's dictum that no one owns the water by ending his hui last night with the declaration, "We have always owned the water!"

Peter Lyons details his list of some of the most fascinating and unique features of the political and economic environment.

Herald columnist Matt McCarten says John Key's reputation has been dented by his handling of the privatisation programme. His handling has "been incompetent for months."