The Speaker's taken an unsubtle swing at Te Pati Maori -- as tensions escalate

Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa Packer and Rawiri Waititi claim Gerry Brownlee wouldn't let their party's staff give water to whanau during yesterday's hikoi to Parliament, and that their wifi access was blocked.

His office has been approached for comment.

A TPM MP launched a haka in the house last week, and Brownlee paused proceedings.

Today, Brownlee took a swipe Te Pati Maori in the House - as they challenged him on a ruling.

He says he was not trying to be difficult and he was just telling the MP the rules - adding that's challenging for some.