Talks have taken place between the National Party and the Maori Party over the Government's stalled RMA reforms.

On current numbers the Government doesn't have the votes to pass changes it wants to make, and if it loses the northland by-election this weekend that task will be even harder.

Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell says there has been a meeting, at their invitation, with Environment Minister Nick Smith and he's shown a willingness to consider the issues they have raised.

"We are committed to going back to them so there's a willingness on our part...there are going to be some things clearly that we're going to put our stake in the sand on, but we'll see what happens - it's a good space I think."