The creation of a standing committee to represent the Maori population is being recommended for Te Tai Tokerau.
The suggestion is part of plans being suggested by the Local Government Commission, which also proposes a single unitary authority for the whole of Northland.
Northland Regional Council councillor and former Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels says he would support a new approach.
He says it's an opportunity to move away from what he calls dial-a-kaumatua representation, because those days are over.
Mr Samuels says able and competent people are needed to represent Maori in Te Tai Tokerau.
The Local Government Commission is seeking submissions on the Northland unitary proposal by 14 February.
