A senior Waikato-Tainui leader says Tukoroirangi Morgan's plan to seek to chair the tribal parliament goes against the rules.
Kingi Tuheitia appointed Mr Morgan as his representative on the tribal executive arm, Te Arataura, last week.
The former MP also plans to put his name forward for nomination to become head of the parliament next year.
But the deputy chair of Te Arataura, Hemi Rau, says the rules would block Mr Morgan from holding two key roles in two separate high-level tribal organisations.
He says rule changes agreed to by members of the parliament forbid Te Arataura members from seeking the position of chair.
Mr Rau says that ensures that organisations are transparent.
