A stand-off between Prime Minister John Key and the Maori Party could be looming sooner than anyone expected with Maori Party MPs unlikely to support National's plans to reform the Resource Management Act and introduce a 90-day probation period for new workers.
The Maori Party is about to feel the pressure of being part of the Government as it comes in for criticism from the Opposition parties.
Mr Key announced yesterday the first step of the RMA reform would be focused on the consent process and would include amendments to streamline and simplify the Act, including priority consenting for projects of national significance.
The second stage would focus on improving decision-making around infrastructure, water and urban design.
"The goal of both stages of reforms will be to reduce the costs, delays and uncertainties in current law that my Government believes are holding back development and job creation," he said in the speech from the throne.
National and the Maori Party have a confidence and supply agreement but Mr Key earlier indicated other support was on an issue-by-issue basis.
It is understood the Maori Party is unhappy with streamlining the consent process, particularly around areas that are under the Treaty of Waitangi claims process.
Even areas of land that have previously been awarded under Treaty claims by the former Labour-led government could be under threat if it is believed they could house projects of national significance.
Environment Minister Nick Smith outlined some of the changes National was proposing during the election campaign.
"Our first phase of reforms will simplify the Act by reducing the number of consent categories, getting rid of vexatious and frivolous objections, making it easier for councils to update plans, clarifying the vague Treaty of Waitangi references, and scrapping the Ministerial veto over coastal consents."
The Maori Party has previously been opposed to any measures that by-pass the extensive consultation with iwi on areas Maori consider to be nationally significant.
Mr Key is understood to be attending a meeting at the weekend called by senior Maori representatives where some of those issues will be discussed.
Labour leader Phil Goff and Green Party industrial relations spokeswoman Sue Bradford started pressuring the Maori Party to oppose any attempts by the Government to introduce probationary periods for workers in their first 90 days on the job in workplaces of fewer than 20.
Ms Bradford called on the Maori Party to stick to its early opposition to the 90-day probationary period.
"After all, Maori workers are among the most affected by unemployment and job mobility.
I also hope that the Maori Party will not only oppose the Bill itself but also vote against urgency," she said.
