Government permits its MPs to comment after attempt to speed up progress on legislation fails

"Racist" and "inappropriate" remarks by Act MP Hilary Calvert have been condemned by the Maori Party and Attorney-General.

The organiser of a hikoi which marched peacefully down Auckland's Queen Street today says the new foreshore and seabed legislation breaches the Treaty of Waitangi.

Legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act could become law by the end of the week, and in Parliament today parties opposed to it were preparing to fight it to the last clause.

Hone Harawira says it was "dumb" and shameful that he forgot to vote on the bill that was the main reason for his break with the Maori Party.

The second reading of the bill to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act has passed through Parliament and former Maori Party MP Hone Harawira wasn't there to vote against it - despite the bill being the reason for him leaving his party.

Independent MP Hone Harawira says he will have a broom closet for an office and sit in Siberia in Parliament, but it's worth it to be free.

Hone Harawira's decision to quit the Maori Party and become an independent MP is a sensible outcome to an irreconcilable situation, Prime Minister John Key says

Outspoken MP Hone Harawira has left the Maori Party to form a new political movement.

Hone Harawira is likely to be booted out of the Maori Party after a committee deciding his fate recommended to cancel his membership.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell's responds to Hone Harawira's public comments on the party.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell is angry that Hone Harawira has today failed to turn up to the disciplinary hearing the rebel MP had explicitly asked for, calling Harawira's no-show disappointing and disrespectful.

Hone Harawira, wanted to become a minister when the Maori Party first went into coalition with National, according to a confidential statement by Te Ururoa Flavell.