The Maori Party has reacted angrily over National's decision not to support it in its bid to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act.
National has reconfirmed its opposition to any repeal of the law, meaning a private member's bill drafted by the Maori Party will fail.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says it was a chance to open the issue to discussion with all New Zealanders and they are frustrated that National has backed down.
"We are very disappointed that they didn't have the courage to go out there, provide leadership to the people and discuss this matter in the way that we believe they could've," she says.
The Foreshore and Seabed Act was the issue the Maori Party was founded on following government legislation that vests ownership of the foreshore and seabed with the Crown.
Turia says the Maori Party had fully expected National to support the repeal bill because its central issue was property rights, due process and access to justice.
She says National has gone around the country talking about one law for all, equal access to justice, yet on this particular issue is prepared to treat Maori differently to other New Zealanders.
And while National claims its position has been clear for months, Labour says National has egg on its face.
"I think that they've led the Maori people down the garden path in the sense of what they promised to get done, and they haven't done it," says Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.
The Maori Party says National will now need to rebuild their
trust, but while the relationship between the two parties has been
damaged, both are being careful not to say it has been damaged for
good.
