A Labour private member's bill seeking the entrenchment of the seven Maori seats, which means it'd take 75 percent of MPs to get rid of them, looks set to fail.

It'd need the support of New Zealand First but Shane Jones who once stood in one of the seats says it won't be supported.

"I don't know of anyone in our caucus who is going to vote for the entrenchment of the seven Maori seats."

Asked if they should be done away with, Jones said that the party's option had been for a referendum.

"There is a lot of emotional heritage [and] affection for the Maori seats."

Jones doesn't believe they'll get a referendum on them now.