Ngati Hine chair Waihoroi Shortland says Ngapuhi people are losing confidence in their runanga leader Sonny Tau.
Ngati Hine is a prominent hapu in the north and is seeking independence from the Ngapuhi runanga.
The recent Ngapuhi annual general meeting refused to accept Mr Tau's chairman's report and blocked efforts by the runanga to change articles in its constitution.
Mr Shortland says it is unheard of for an AGM to reject a chairman's report and the action was effectively a vote of no-confidence.
He says it is symptomatic of the growing dissatisfaction in Ngapuhi with Mr Tau and his attempts to drive a Treaty settlement before claims are heard.
