Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is being urged to listen to some criticism in the spirit of friendship.

Abbott made a quick stop in Wellington yesterday to start commemorations for the 100th Gallipoli anniversary, though talk about the current deployment to Iraq dominated discussion.

He didn't take the time to speak with the Maori Party, but co-leader Marama Fox maintains they're unhappy with his treatment of indigenous communities in Australia.

"Aboriginal communities will be closed down, their water and their services will be stopped, essentially taking away work programmes, housing programmes."

Fox says indigenous people need the option of a community of their own, and forced closures are the wrong move.

"It seems like it's just a backwards step to be taking this action."

Meanwhile, Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira's breaking his political silence to slam the Australian Government and its treatment of Aboriginal communities.

He's travelled to Canberra for ANZAC week to highlight what he's calling genocide being committed by the Abbott Government.

Mr Harawira's irate at the Australian Government's decision to force the closure of Aboriginal settlements in Western Australia.

"Tony Abbott is unveiling a memorial to soldiers lost in the first World War. He's doing that while at the same time he's consigning thousands upon thousands of Aboriginal people to no life at all on their homeland."