UPDATED 2.32pm: Maori Party President and advisor to the Maori King, Tuku Morgan, is being singled out as the man behind politically charged comments made by the Maori King.

Over the weekend Kiingi Tuheitia's spoken positively of the Maori and Mana Parties, while saying he'd never vote for Labour again.

Labour MP Peeni Henare believes Mr Morgan's had too much influence on Kiingi Tuheitia's comments.

"Look I've got no doubt that Tuku's influence is far reaching, and the King is no exception to that."

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters holds a similar view, saying it was just a few weeks ago Mr Morgan was talking about his new position as President of the Maori Party to bring the Mana and Maori parties together.

"This has got a resonance about it that is so similar, it has to come from the same source."

The Maori Party was as surprised as everyone else by an apparent endorsement from the Maori King.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox told Larry Williams that in his prepared speech the King stated the Kingitanga movement is apolitical - but he went off script.

"His personal feeling was that - I believe - that he's saying an independent voice is what's needed. He did say that, of course, I'm happy to receive that type of endorsement."

Mr Henare thinks it was a poor decision taken by a Maori institution that should remain neutral on politics.

"As an individual, the King can vote for whoever he chooses to vote for. But the institution of the Kingitanga should always remain about te kotahitanga o te iwi Maori."

Currently the Maori Party hold only one Maori electorate, with Labour holding the other six.