New Zealand First says the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Chris Finlayson, is cutting corners and rushing the settlement process of Muaūpoko.
The Muaūpoko Tribal Authority has been awarded the mandate to negotiate with the Crown, but list MP Pita Paraone said some iwi members were not proper descendents.
MP Chris Finlayson. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Mr Paraone said the Minister did not understand that Māori non-participation in voting was a valid sign of protest against the process.
He said negotiations should not continue until a true mandated authority is selected.
However, Mr Finlayson said the best way for people to protest was to excercise their vote, and vote against it.
"I think he's got the wrong end of the stick, as he often does.
"In relation to Muaūpoko, which is the iwi in and around Levin, the best way for iwi members who don't support a mandate is to exercise their right to vote and vote against it."
Mr Finalyson said 87 percent of iwi voted for the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority.
