The head of the Ngapuhi authority, Sonny Tau, says hapu or sub-tribes are being 'egged' on by some money-hungry lawyers to fight the treaty settlement process.
The runanga's negotiating body, Tuhoronuku, has received a number of challenges from hapu groups who oppose its Government verified mandate.
Mr Tau says the same treaty lawyers are moving from one settlement to the next, trying to derail the process and make big money from urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearings.
He says it has happened in settlements in Ngai Tahu, Ngati Porou and Tuhoe.
The chair Sonny Tau says it's not the lawyers' position to coax or coerce people into litigation - or to use Ngapuhi people to attack their own structures and prevent them from going forward.
He says similar tactics haven't succeeded in other cases, and will only delay the settlement process.
