A Hawke's Bay Mayor says he was shocked by the government's attempt to entrench part of its Three Waters legislation.

The Green Party put forward the entrenchment clause, which would require a future government to obtain 60 percent of votes in the House if it wanted to privatise water assets.

The clause was supported by the Labour government while Parliament was sitting under urgency la st week - but it has since admitted that was a mistake.

The mayor of Wairoa, Craig Little, opposes Three Waters. He spoke to Katie Scotcher.