Maori leaders packed out a meeting house in Auckland today to discuss government plans not to include Maori representation on the proposed Auckland super council.
The Government agreed with a royal commission's recommendation to set up a new Auckland Council, with one elected mayor.
However it rejected the recommendation that Maori have three seats on the council, saying the council could establish the positions itself if there was community support.
Maori are angry the recommendation was not being followed and say it breaches Treaty commitments.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples told NZPA the Orakei Marae meeting house overflowed as more than 200 Auckland Maori and tribal leaders gathered.
"The house was full they couldn't fit them all in, there were people outside," he said.
"It was a good hui and we discussed our displeasure (at the removal) of Maori seats and the reasons why they should be on there."
He expected the hui to make decisions this afternoon and said it was useful.
"It had to happen because people are pretty upset and Maori see as applicable not just to Auckland, but to the whole of New Zealand."
The Maori Party has said that the disagreement over the seats has not hurt its relationship with the National Government.
