The Prime Minister's expecting the usual argy-bargy when he visits Waitangi for political talks this week.

John Key will take National MPs and government ministers with him to Te Tii Marae on Thursday, ahead of Waitangi Day.

He thinks his reception will be "quite rough" - as in previous years.

"I wish I could tell you it would be peaches and cream, but I think this'll be my ninth time.

"I've had everything from someone taking a swing at me outside the Treaty grounds right through to being shouted off Te Tii marae to being held up for hours going in there."

However, Key says it's worth it.

"We get an opportunity to put our case and some people will hear that. I think we get some marks for constantly turning up year after year.

"We have good engagement with our local iwi up there and we're progressing Ngapuhi settlement."