By Peter Wilson, NZN Political Writer
The Maori Party could meet Prime Minister John Key later this week to discuss the Waitangi Tribunal's asset sales report.
The water rights issue caused a rift between them which was repaired with an agreement to discuss and carefully consider the tribunal's recommendations.
It issued an interim report on Monday saying the partial privatisation of four energy companies should be put on hold until it has dealt with Maori water rights.
Co-leader Pita Sharples says a meeting will be set up when Mr Key returns from Samoa, which is early on Thursday morning.
The Government doesn't seem to be concerned about delays to its asset sales programme because of the report.
The tribunal expects to present its second report, on water rights, by the end of September.
Shares in Mighty River Power are due to be floated by the first week in August, at the latest.
The timing is tight but Finance Minister Bill English told parliament on Tuesday the asset sales programme was still on track.
"There's nothing new or unexpected in the report from the Waitangi Tribunal," he said.
The Maori Council, which asked the tribunal for a ruling on water rights and asset sales, is waiting for the Government's response before deciding whether to seek a court injunction to stop the partial privatisation of the energy companies.
The Government is going to sell 49 percent of the shares in Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy, Genesis Energy and coal miner Solid Energy.
NZN