Ngapuhi says its leader, Sonny Tau, has its full support following a hui attended by the tribe's kaumatua and kuia last week.
Ngapuhi leader Sonny Tau Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
Mr Tau put his leadership up for discussion after being being charged with killing and possessing protected wildlife after he was found with five dead kereru at Invercargill airport last month.
The hui was held in Kaikohe on Friday, and was attended by almost 100 kaumatua and kuia, which the tribe said was the largest gathering of Ngapuhi elders in recent times.
Sonny Tau has stepped down as chair of the board that is leading his iwi's treaty negotiations, Tuhoronuku.
And there have been calls for him to do the same with his other roles following the incident from Ngapuhi-affiliated Labour MP's Kelvin Davis and Peeni Henare.
At the hui Mr Tau said he would step aside as the chair of Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi if this was the wish of his elders.
But he was given their full support to continue in the role.