A grouping of six Ngati Porou marae is criticising the iwi's runanga over its search for a new chief executive.
Te Aitanga a Hauiti claim the tribe is considering hiring candidates who are not Maori and not from Ngati Porou.
In protest, the people representing the marae have pulled their support for the annual Pa Wars - a major sports event that's due to be held on the third of January in Tolaga Bay.
A spokesperson for the group objecting to the recruitment process of a new CEO, Wayne Ngata, says only descendants should be considered for the job.
Mr Ngata says they want to know why the tribe is thinking about appointing an "outsider".
The runanga of Ngati Porou has told Te Manu Korhi the Pa Wars will go ahead but has refused to answer any other questions.
