The National Party is standing by their choice to go against ACT's controversial Treaty Principles Bill.

A haka by Te Pāti Māori MPs interrupted the first reading of the contentious bill today, causing Parliament to be briefly suspended.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says National believes the bill is no way to deal with a difficult and sensitive topic. 

"Our view is - yes, address these issues, but the best way to do it is issue by issue."

LISTEN ABOVE