Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia expects day to day issues like health, education and jobs will be greater influences on the way Maori vote than the foreshore and seabed.
The Maori Party has supported the Marine and Coastal Area Bill, which could be passed as early as Thursday.
Mrs Turia says that for every email that MPs have received criticising their stand, there have been 20 commending them for standing strong and making some advances.
She told Waatea News that the foreshore and seabed issue will always be paramount, but day to day, people will be concerned about the social situation that they are in.
Mrs Turia said the party's polling supports that view.
