The Government says tangata whenua will be able to start having their say on constitutional matters from next year as part of a wide-ranging review.
Sir Tipene O'Regan of Ngai Tahu has been named as co-chair of an independent panel set up to examine constitutional arrangements, including the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori parliamentary seats.
The panel of 12 will report back to Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English in September 2013.
Mr English says he hopes many Maori who have strong constitutional views take the opportunity to air them because often those types of discussions are held between the Crown and Maori.
