The Maori Council says it's impractical for the Crown to suggest it can consider the Waitangi Tribunal's decision on water rights by early September.
Two ministers have written to the tribunal asking for its recommendations and reasoning by 24 August.
But Maori Council lawyer Felix Geiringer says the real reason behind the Government's deadline is that, if the matter ends up in court, it will be able to say it considered the report.
An earlier Court of Appeal decision ruled the Government could not proceed with the tender of radio spectrum to Maori before it had received the relevant Waitangi Tribunal report.
