The Maori seats look set to be a significant stumbling block in any coalition talks between the Maori and National parties after the election.
At its campaign launch at the weekend, the Maori Party said the continued existence of the seats would be a bottom line in any post-election negotiations.
National's position is to move to abolish the seven Maori seats from 2014.
Labour leader Helen Clark says National cannot abolish the seats because they are part of New Zealand's constitution and electoral system.
National leader John Key says there will be areas of disagreement with the Maori Party, but that would not pre-empt post election discussions.
