Two brothers charged with assaulting Prime Minister John Key are keen to meet with him to settle the matter out of court.
However, Mr Key says that is not an option as the matter is before the courts.
John Junior Popata, 33, and Wikitana Popata, 19, denied the charge when they appeared
in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday.
The pair had support from about 50 whanau members, including their uncle and Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.
After the court hearing, Mr Harawira said his nephews and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples suggested a possible meeting with Mr Key to resolve the matter.
"These boys are part of our whanau.
"I know they have a good heart and if there's anything I can do to try and help resolve this, I will," Mr Harawira said.
Asked if such a course should be embarked upon, considering the matter was before the court, he said there was no harm in trying. Mr Harawira said there were two different issues - law and common sense.
He said nothing had been decided as yet on a possible meeting with Mr Key.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said in a statement: "This is a matter for the courts.
"While we will continue to meet regularly with the Maori Party we will not be meeting with anyone over this issue.
"This matter is best handled through the court system," the statement said.
The charge relates to an incident on February 5 when Mr Key was jostled outside his car before the welcoming ceremony.
The Prime Minister's bodyguards and police intervened and restrained the brothers before they were arrested and later charged with assault.
The PM's Cabinet colleagues; Phil Heatley, John Carter and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, were present when the incident took place on Marsden Rd, which runs past Te Tii Marae.
The brothers had allegedly approached Mr Key as he was leaning to hongi Dr Sharples.
The brothers appeared in the Kaikohe District Court the same afternoon and were released on bail.
They were further remanded on bail yesterday to reappear in the Kaikohe District Court on May 26.
