Tukoroirangi Morgan is insisting he's still the head of Waikato-Tainui's executive, Te Arataura - and is planning to call a meeting of the executive this week.
However the tribal Parliament, Te Kauhanganui - which oversees the committee - is adamant Mr Morgan is no longer part of the executive.
It says he failed to gain enough votes in recent unfinished tribal elections.
Tukoroirangi Morgan says the tribe's rules state the executive board stays in place until the elections are completed.
Mr Morgan plans to continue doing the job of chairperson of the executive, which oversees the tribe's commercial arm, the Waikato River Authority, and its education divisions.
He says he's leading the board and he's still the chair of Te Arataura until 25 March, when the election process will be complete.
Mr Morgan says he's got a job to do and there's some unfinished business to be done with the Government and the corporate sector, including local authorities in Waikato-Tainui.
He says he's sought his lawyer's advice on his position, but isn't taking legal action.
