Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she did not tell the Prime Minister she was "fine" with the Government's rejection of a Tuhoe Treaty claim, despite what he says.
A row has erupted over John Key's announcement on Monday ruling out Tuhoe's bid for sole ownership of the Urewera National Park, after 18 months of negotiations.
The decision has angered Tuhoe, whose negotiator Tamati Kruger says the iwi believed it had an agreement in principle on the return of the park.
Mr Key says he informed Mrs Turia of the decision on Sunday night, and that while she was disappointed, she was totally fine otherwise.
Mrs Turia says at no point did she say she was fine; on the contrary, she says was very distressed by the news.
She says it isn't good faith to pull the plug on a deal just a week before it was meant to be concluded.
The Prime Minister is refusing to comment any further.
Radio New Zealand's political editor says the spat between Mrs Turia and Mr Key is probably the most serious since the National Party and the Maori Party struck a deal after the 2009 election.
A row has erupted over John Key's announcement on Monday ruling out Tuhoe's bid for sole ownership of the Urewera National Park, after 18 months of negotiations.
The decision has angered Tuhoe, whose negotiator Tamati Kruger says the iwi believed it had an agreement in principle on the return of the park.
Mr Key says he informed Mrs Turia of the decision on Sunday night, and that while she was disappointed, she was totally fine otherwise.
Mrs Turia says at no point did she say she was fine; on the contrary, she says was very distressed by the news.
She says it isn't good faith to pull the plug on a deal just a week before it was meant to be concluded.
The Prime Minister is refusing to comment any further.
Radio New Zealand's political editor says the spat between Mrs Turia and Mr Key is probably the most serious since the National Party and the Maori Party struck a deal after the 2009 election.
