An arm of the Iwi Chairs Forum is planning to spell out its relationship with the Crown when it attends a water rights hui called by the Maori King.
The Freshwater Iwi Leaders group confirmed it will go to the summit next Thursday at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.
Referring to water claims led by the Maori Council, Sir Tumu te Heuheu, who leads the group, says it has never sought to usurp the right of individual iwi and hapu.
He says their engagement with the Crown is based on keeping waterways healthy and ensuring that iwi rights are recognised.
