The media were kicked out of a hui about Maori education in Auckland on Wednesday morning at the Education Minister's request.
More than 60 tribal education providers were expected at the conference, held by iwi education advocates, Nga Kaikokiri Matauranga.
Reporters had been invited to the event but a media co-ordinator for the hui says they were wrongly told to leave when Education Minister, Hekia Parata, noticed them.
The co-ordinator says there was a miscommunication at the organisers' end and the hui facilitator, Wayne Ngata, wasn't aware media were invited.
Pictures have emerged online that show him about to push away a TVNZ video camera.
She says Dr Ngata overreacted and overstepped his mark as facilitator.
She says it never should have happened and Nga Kaikokiri Matauranga is preparing an apology.
