The Iwi Chairs Forum says a breakdown in communication is to blame for tensions boiling over within Te Pāti Māori.  

MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris have been expelled from the party. 

They're both remaining defiant and have labelled the process illegitimate. 

Iwi Chairs Forum spokesperson Bayden Barber says he was trying to set up a meeting between the two factions for tomorrow, but that's not going ahead. 

He told Mike Hosking the two sides haven't talked in a month.  

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