Mana Party leader Hone Harawira took time out to enjoy Tauranga's Waterfront this morning before he attends a Maori Affairs select committee hearing on the Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill today.

The meeting follows the Ngati Whatua claim hearings held in Kaipara Harbour yesterday where Mana Party members listened to public submissions on issues facing the Maori community.

Mana Party MP Hone Harawira is in Tauranga today to hear submissions on the Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill.

The Mana Party will be hearing submissions in Te Puke today before delegates return to Wellington next week.

Recent rumblings amongst the Labour Party caucus for leadership between current leader David Shearer and rival David Cunliffe has not deterred Hone from supporting the party.

The MP says Mana shares the same view as Labour when it comes to children's rights – a key policy for the party.

'I am supportive of them because they are exactly the policies we need. Parties need to control people.”

Labour Party leader David Shearer backed Hone's bill to provide resources such as food and water for children living in poverty.

'It was good to hear him talk about that. I have a good relationship with Labour and the Greens.”

Hone claims the Mana Party is an active participant in providing equal rights for both Maori and Pakeha but wants to be clear the party is significantly different from the Maori Party.

'We are not just there to challenge National - it's about raising the issues that must be raised.”

NZ First MP Brendan Horan will also be attending the submissions hearings at Te Puke Memorial Hall until 3pm today.