The Ngāpuhi leader found with five dead kereru last year will remain on leave until July from his position as chair of Te Rūnanga-a-iwi o Ngāpuhi.
Sonny Tau outside court Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
Tau was caught with the protected birds by Department of Conservation staff at Invercargill airport last June.
The iwi's board had a special meeting with him yesterday, at which the decision was made.
Tau also resigned as the director of four different Ngāpuhi services.
The runanga said he acknowledged and apologised for the error of his actions.
Tau will be sentenced next month after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
The board said it supported him in continuing to lead and influence issues of significance to Ngāpuhi.