The difference between the Government and its Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples over Maori representation in Auckland faced intense scrutiny in Parliament today.
During question time, opposition MPs challenged Dr Sharples for supporting a government that was stripping Maori seats from the proposed Auckland super city.
The government is taking up a Royal Commission's recommendation to set up a new Auckland Council, with one elected mayor, but it rejected the recommendation that Maori have three seats on the council.
The government said the council could establish the positions itself if there was community support.
In his role as minister rather than as co-leader of the Maori Party, Dr Sharples yesterday criticised that decision, describing it as institutionalised racism.
Labour MP Parekura Horomia pointed out that Dr Sharples was supporting the government, which had also pledged to abolish the Maori electoral seats once historic Treaty claims were settled.
"How can the minister claim to act with integrity when with one hand he is rallying against the scrapping of Maori seats in Auckland and with the other hand he signed a confidence and supply agreement promising not to pursue the entrenching of Maori electorate seats in Parliament?"
Dr Sharples said he was reflecting the views of Auckland Maori leaders. He understood a complaint would be made to the Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal by Auckland leaders and he would continue to pressure the government.
Dr Sharples and Prime Minister John Key disputed that the dispute had dented their relationship.
"The reality is the prime minister and I both sit very easily with this," Dr Sharples told reporters.
Mr Key said he respected the Maori Party opposition to his government's decision.
"If anything it is a stronger relationship, you just have to accept that sometimes there is going to be the agreement to agree to disagree."
Dr Sharples said he ensure the voice of Maori was heard "at the top table".
Labour leader Phil Goff asked why Dr Sharples continued to describe his party's relationship with National as mana enhancing when his views were ignored.
Dr Sharples said the relationship was "totally mana enhancing, we've allowed each other to agree to disagree, not talk behind each others' backs...our relationship is growing stronger every day".
National applauded his comments.
Labour also used Dr Sharples position commenting as Maori Affairs Minister to highlight their on-going issue with what questions Dr Sharples will answer as a minister.
