John Key hasn't decided what he will be doing on Waitangi day, now that he's pulled out attending celebrations at Te Tii Marae.

LISTEN ABOVE: Hone Harawira speaks to Rachel Smalley about Key not going to Waitangi

He's pulled out of going to Waitangi, citing a lack of clarity over his speaking rights on the marae, and safety concerns.

The Prime Minister said he will be taking advice from his office about what to do on the day.

Rachel Smalley: Nothing good could have come from Waitangi visit 

He said he'd like to go "somewhere where there is hopefully a festive atmosphere, where we can celebrate with other New Zealanders.

"I mean that's what most other people will be doing on Waitangi day," he said.

Labour Leader Andrew Little said the Prime Minister has a right to be at Waitangi.

"What I do say as a principle, it is right for the Prime Minister to be at Waitangi and at Te Tii Marae, on the day before Waitangi day, because that is a day of discussion and debate and the Prime Minister should be there for it."

But Little hopes he will get the opportunity to speak and indicates no restrictions have been placed on him.

"I haven't had any direct communications and nothing has come to my office telling me there's things I can or cannot say."

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the Prime Minister's non-attendance is highly regrettable for the north, for Ngapuhi, and for the country.

"I think Ngapuhi's going to seriously regret the way it's imaged itself, and its failure to make a stand on behalf of the protocols to the benefit of dialogue and discussion."

"Really, when you are hosting a event for the nation in a specific place on the nation's behalf, you've got to think bigger than yourselves."

But Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said John Key is to blame for what's occurred, given his actions around the TPP.

"Signing the agreement just two days before Waitangi really is an insult, and I'm not surprised now that he's decided not to go, but he certainly isn't a victim here."

Turei thinks the decision to sign the TPP before Waitangi was deliberate and an attempt to manipulate the discussion around the TPP.

"I think this is very poor behaviour from someone who should be regarded as a Prime Minister."