A Victoria University senior lecturer in Maori studies says the Maori electoral seats should be entrenched, meaning they're protected from ever being dropped.
There are seven Maori electoral seats.
Dr Maria Bargh from the School of Maori Studies is the author of Maori in Parliament.
Speaking during a debate on the constitutional review broadcast by Radio New Zealand, she said the seats need to be entrenched to guarantee future Maori representation, and it should be legislated for all local authorities to do.
She said few authorities are taking up the option to have Maori seats despite it being encouraged as a human rights imperative by the human rights commission.
A further discussion - Maori Aspirations for Constitutional Change - will be on air next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Maori voters have until the end of July to decide whether they will vote on the Maori or general roll for the next two elections.
