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Politics | Waitangi

PM staying out of row

Prime Minister John Key has announced that he's leaving it up to Te Tii elders to choose his escort on to the marae.

Today was the first day the Prime Minister and his new cabinet had met, and although he had previously stated he wanted to stay out of the issue, he has said that Te Tii elders will be responsible for choosing his escort.

Recently, a war of words broke out between the marae trustees and Titewhai Harawira after they decided to appoint Ani Taurua to escort the Prime Minister instead of Titewhai Harawira.

Never one to shy away from confrontation, it's understood Titewhai is angered at the trust's decision to exclude her from the day's formalities.

Reporter:  Ripeka Timutimu