A Maori Council leader says the Maori Party should walk away from its relationship with the Government while its mana is still intact.
The party's leadership will meet the Prime Minister on Wednesday to discuss his statement that the Government could ignore any ruling the Waitangi Tribunal makes on water rights.
Council co-chair Maanu Paul says John Key is manifesting institutional racism when he says no one owns water.
He says the Maori Party should get out of the governing relationship while its mana is still intact.
But Mr Key says he hopes the Maori Party does not leave and he, as Prime Minister, was just stating the Crown's position.
