Embattled iwi leader Sonny Tau has withdrawn from the competition to be the new hapū kaikōrero (representative) for Ngai Tāwake on the Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority.
The Ngāpuhi iwi - which is represented in treaty negotiations by the Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority - is made up of over 100 hapū. Photo: Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
This meant his only remaining option for a role on the authority, which had been assigned to carry out treaty negotiations for Ngāpuhi, was to be re-elected as its chair.
Sonny Tau Photo: Facebook
Mr Tau stood down from that position after being found with five dead kererū in Invercargill.
He pleaded guilty last month to possessing five dead kererū, but not guilty of killing them.
Sam Napia, who is currently the acting chair of Tūhoronuku, was also vying for the role.
Elections for the position close on 11 September.
Second round of elections closed
After Mr Tau's withdrawal, Adrianne Taungapeau was automatically elected as Ngai Tāwake's new hapū kaikōrero on Tūhoronuku.
The second round of the iwi settlement authority's hapū kaikōrero nominations and elections had now closed, with representatives appointed for 69 hapū.
The authority was warned by the government in February to strengthen its mandate, after many of the more than 100 hapū that made up the iwi boycotted its first elections.
The government has said it aims to reach an agreement with Ngāpuhi by the end of 2016.