Nats: we'll settle Treaty then ditch Maori seats (+video)

A National-led government would start the process to abolish the Maori seats in Parliament after historical Treaty claims had been settled, party leader John Key said today.
View video: Key hops skips and jumps

He said National would like to see the claims finalised by 2014.

Mr Key has voiced contradictory positions on Treaty policy this week, giving the Government the opportunity to say he is untrustworthy and "slippery".

He at first indicated there was no set date for completing the claims process but last night reaffirmed the target deadline.

The issue of abolishing the Maori seats is delicate, because National may have to negotiate with the Maori Party after the election.

The Maori Party holds four of the Maori seats and opinion polls indicate it could take all seven in the election.

Asked about Treaty policy today, Mr Key said National would "like to see them finalised by 2014".

Questioned about abolishing the Maori seats, he said: "Our policy is to start that constitutional process once we've finished the historical treaty claims process."

- NZPA