Far North District Council is being accused by a Northland tribal leader of throwing their Treaty relationship back into the dark ages.
Te Rarawa Runanga chairperson Haami Piripi is disappointed the council granted a BBC television programme, which it believes is Top Gear, - permission to close a stretch of 90 Mile Beach to film a supersonic car speeding along the sand.
The council said Ngati Kuri was notified and did not object to the BBC's request.
However, Mr Piripi said the council should have contacted the other three Northland iwi that signed a Deed of Settlement, which includes detailed management provisions over 90 Mile Beach.
Mr Piripi indicates that the council's actions have jeopardised their relationship.
He said the matter has cast the relationship between Maori and local government back into the dark ages because the council is ignoring some iwi.