A Ngapuhi hapu alliance is critical of the Government's decision to accept just one mandating body to represent treaty negotiations for the country's biggest tribe.
The iwi has many hapu (sub-tribes) which are in the midst of Waitangi Tribunal hearings involving nearly 400 separate claims.
Te Kotahitanga o nga hapu Ngapuhi leaders met on Monday to talk about how to carry on following the Government's acceptance of the tribe's runanga-led board, Tuhoronuku.
Co-chair Rudy Taylor says it's important to remember the Crown does not have the mana to make decisions about iwi, and that that responsibility rests with hapu.
He does not believes Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples did a good job in selecting one mandating body, especially for a tribe such as Ngapuhi.
However, he concedes the iwi has been working through a mandate for about four years.
