Harawira Maori seats bill 'a mistake'

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Maverick Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says he did not mean to enter a bill apparently flouting his party's confidence and supply agreement with the Government.

Mr Harawira today put forward a member's bill seeking to entrench Maori seats.

In the confidence and supply agreement signed between the parties after National's 2008 election win, a paragraph states ...''the Maori Party and the National Party will not be pursuing the entrenchment of the Maori seats in the current Parliamentary term''.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia appeared this afternoon to be caught unawares by news Mr Harawira had entered a bill for entrenchment of the seats.

She said she had not seen the bill Mr Harawira had entered.

"It would be difficult if he has done that," Mrs Turia said.

Mr Harawira emerged shortly afterwards saying the bill had been entered by mistake and he would be withdrawing it.