Dismissal of national water rights hui criticised

Labour's criticising National's decision to snub next week's national hui on water rights.

Maori King Tuheitia has called for a national meeting at Turangawaewae Marae on Thursday.

John Key doesn't see the need for the hui, saying it's not a national issue.

He says there'll be no Crown representatives at the meeting - a move Labour leader David Shearer doesn't understand.

"If you are trying to negotiate a deal, and you're trying to negotiate in good faith, what's wrong with listening to people's viewpoints? That's what we've always done as New Zealanders, that's what fair-minded New Zealanders do. You might not agree with them but you certainly listen to them."

But as far as the organisers of the hui are concerned, the government's absence is a non-issue

Spokesman for the Maori King, Tuku Morgan says the Prime Minister and co were never invited.

"That was not a consideration because we've not had the opportunity to talk amongst ourselves, that this is a national summit on water."

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