Maori Party co leader Pita Sharples admits there is still indecision within his party over how any post-election hui would be managed.
The party's stance on what may be prolonged consultation came under fire during a Radio New Zealand minor parties leaders' debate.
The party intends holding hui across the country if it has the balance of power after the election, in order to get a mandate about which major party to support.
Speaking in the Morning Report debate Dr Sharples said the framework of the hui process is in place, but the Maori Party has yet to agree on exactly who will be able to take part.
It will meet on Friday to finalise details.
Pita Sharples said if the Maori Party does hold the balance of power, its coalition talks and subsequent hui process is likely to take a number of weeks.
ACT party leader Rodney Hide said that in the current economic climate a delay in forming a stable Government could be catastrophic, while United Future leader Peter Dunne said the public has a right to a prompt answer.
Progressive leader Jim Anderton said it is more honest for minor parties to reveal who they would support before an election.
"..Because if you vote for a party that uses your vote then to join a Government that you don't want, you've wasted your vote.
Minor parties 'relevant to Government'
The leaders said it is their ideas that matter and make the difference, regardless of which major party forms the next Government.
They said their work is extremely relevant to Government, and pointed to policies and ideas adopted by the current Government that originated from the smaller parties.
Pita Sharples said the work minor parties do is an endorsement of the MMP system.
"We've brought issues to the table that might never have come up, and that's made us think broader in terms of New Zealand, I mean the Greens' particular contribution, Rodney's, everybody has brought different aspects to the table."
Progressive leader Jim Anderton, Jeanette Fitzsimons of the Green Party, Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, ACT's Rodney Hide and United Future leader Peter Dunne took part in the debate on Thursday 6 November. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters declined to attend.
Listen to debate (part 1)
Listen to debate (part 2)