Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the Marine and Coastal Area Takutai Moana Bill is a Maori Party bill and that is why the party had to take Hone Harawira off the committee considering it.
Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell will instead sit on the Maori Affairs Select Committee while the bill is being considered.
Mrs Turia says that when the issue of Mr Harawira's opposition to the bill was raised in caucus, he did not seem to object to being stood down.
Mr Harawira says he intends to make his own submission on the bill.
He says he is counting on Maori Party members to sway the leadership against it and eventually put its principles before the coalition.
