Iwi in Gisborne say the Government risks breaching the Treaty of Waitangi over oil exploration rights in the region, by failing to consult properly with Maori.
A coalition of tribes, which made submissions on the oil exploration land being offered this year, says it wants regular consultation, and not just submissions when blocks are proposed for tender.
The minimum consultation requirement for oil companies is to contact the registrar of the Maori Land Court, ask for the ownership contact list and send a letter to that address.
But iwi say the lists need updating and oil companies should bear the cost.
