The Maori Council does not speak for Maori affected by the partial sale of Mighty River Power, according to Finance Minister Bill English.

Finance Minister Bill English welcomes opportunity to defend sale of state-owned enterprise in court.

The Government has confirmed it will not proceed with the Waitangi Tribunal's "shares plus'' concept when it partially privatises Mighty River Power.

Mighty River has lost one of two Maori directors in what appears to be fall-out from opposition to the government's plans to partially privatise SOEs.

The Government's water rights consultation hui is not robust or long enough, according to Ngati Maniapoto leaders.

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.

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.

Today the Government meets with Tainui to start negotiations over the partial privatisation of Mighty River. Iwi interests can still be served without the unfair 'shares plus' scheme.

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

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.

Got less than $100,000 to invest? You'll find it a struggle to get personalised investment advice without Govt help, one top financial adviser says.

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."