3 Aug 2012

Council accepts Maori Party invitation

6:35 am on 3 August 2012

The Maori Council has accepted an invitation from the Maori Party to talk about water rights.

On Thursday, Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said his caucus wants to meet with Maori who have interests in water on Monday - before the party's meeting with Prime Minister, John Key, later that day.

The solicitor for the Maori Council's Waitangi Tribunal claim on water rights, Donna Hall, says the invitation is a good move.

She says at the hearing the tribunal heard from claimants - senior iwi leaders - who talked about being prohibited from attending group iwi discussions over water because they were not invited.

But Ms Hall says the invitation from the Maori Party shows a shift.