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.

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!"

King Tuheitia's summit on water for Maori is expected to draw 600 today to Turangawaewae Marae - and a former deputy PM says the Maori Council and Govt have to compromise.

The sale of Mighty River Power will be delayed, the Government announced today. Prime Minister John Key's announced after a cabinet meeting today that his Government would delay the sale until issues of Maori water rights could be better clarified.