The Maori Council says it will put the issue of water rights at the top of the agenda at Waitangi this year.
The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on the council's bid to delay the partial sale of assets.
Its co-chairman Maanu Paul has been given permission to give a speech on the issue, before the Prime Minister at Waitangi.
“The council has a statutory right to talk with the Government and the Government is failing to do so,” says Mr Paul, speaking on Firstline this morning.
“Since the 1985/86 State-Owned Enterprise Act passed, governments have learnt that the way forward for this nation is for both treaty partners to sit down at the table and take a pragmatic approach in how to exercise the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. And I want to remind us that those principles are principles of partnership and the question to the Government is when are they going to allow the Maori Council to be a partner in the development in the future of this country?”
Mr Paul says the Maori Council wishes to sit down with John Key and develop a process of reconciliation for the nation.
Watch the video to see the full interview.