The Maori Affairs Committee's pausing oral submissions scheduled for Friday ... over the hotly-contested bill pushing for Maori seats in Rotorua

The proposed legislation would allow the council to have an equal number of Maori and general ward seats.

It was introduced by Labour MP Tamati Coffey - but colleague Attorney General David Parker found the bill cannot be justified.

In a statement - the Committee says it's waiting for more advice on concerns ... before determining next steps.