The former chairperson of the Waikato-Tainui executive Tukoroirangi Morgan says he is leaving the tribal office.
He says he will not be vying for the final seat on Te Arataura.
An election of officers for the panel was held last month, where nine out of ten members were appointed, but Mr Morgan was not.
Another election for the tenth member is due to be held this weekend.
Mr Morgan says he has decided not to stand.
Instead he says he intends to pursue a number of job offers in the Treaty settlement sector.
Mr Morgan says he wants to move away from what he calls the chaos and dysfunction within Waikato-Tainui to follow a more positive path.
He plans to offer advice to other iwi who are yet to settle their claims.
