Māori will be demanding assurances from the government that its Fast Track Approval Bill will not trample over Treaty settlements.

The legislation - which passed its first reading on Thursday - will give three ministers the power to bypass normal consent processes and have the final say on approvals for special infrastructure projects.

Ngāi Tahu, whose rohe includes two-thirds of the conservation estate has expressed concern, saying a key failure is that the bill does not include a reference to Te Tiriti o Waitangi or its principles.

Waikato Tainui Chair Tuku Morgan says treaty settlements must be protected at all costs.

Morgan spoke to Charlotte Cook.