The Mana movement is accusing the Government of dismantling the law protecting Te Reo Maori.
Annette Sykes Photo: MANA PARTY
Under a bill before Parliament, governance of the language will be handed to a majority iwi-run body called Te Matawai.
Mana candidate for Waiariki Annette Sykes said the Minister of Maori Affairs was putting the language in jeopardy.
She said Pita Sharples was using this week - Maori Language Week - to disestablish so much of what had been set up for the language, without any certainty of what might replace it.
Ms Sykes said it was unconscionable to take the Maori Language Act off the statute book, given the history of struggle.
She said Mana's policy was to strengthen the Maori Language Commission.