The chair of Waikato-Tainui's parliament says the move by the iwi board to re-instate Tukoroirangi Morgan is an act of defiance.
Tania Martin says Mr Morgan was disqualified from the governance board after a vote by more than 60 marae representatives on Saturday.
However, the board, Te Arataura, has deemed that vote invalid and given Mr Morgan his role back.
Mrs Martin issued a report last year alleging excessive spending by the board.
She says reinstating Mr Morgan is a breach of the rules and the parliament is to seek it's own legal advice on the vote.
Mrs Martin says Te Arataura has gone beyond it's role and has to listen to the ultimate governing body, Te Kauhanganui.
Te Arataura says the vote did not reach the 50% of marae threshold needed to pass a resolution.
