KEY POINTS:
The country's richest iwi, Ngai Tahu, has been rocked by the shock resignation of chief executive Tahu Potiki.
Mr Potiki is the second senior executive to leave the South Island tribe in six months after the surprise resignation in May of Robin Pratt, CEO of the iwi's commercial arm, Ngai Tahu Group Holdings.
Senior tribal members have blamed a long-standing feud between Mr Potiki and chairman Mark Solomon for the resignation.
But Mr Potiki denied any dispute had influenced his decision.
"Some may see that as the reason, but it is not. The drivers are much more benign. I have filled the role for five years.
"I have achieved all that I have set out to achieve. It is time for something new."
Last month, Mr Potiki was appointed chairman of the Dunedin-based Runanga Otakou. It opens the door for him to stand for the tribe's powerful executive, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.
It is understood the 18-member board is bitterly divided between Mr Solomon's supporters and those opposed to his leadership.
Mr Solomon is understood to command the support of just half the executive.
Mr Potiki, whose position as chief executive was believed to be worth $250,000 a year, said he had no immediate plans to seek a place on the board, but did not rule it out in the future. His resignation takes effect in March.
He said he had plans to work on runanga development and was investigating a number of commercial ventures.
Mr Solomon said the news of the resignation was a shock.
He received a phone call about it around the same time Mr Potiki went public during an interview on Auckland-based iwi radio station Radio Waatea.
Mr Solomon said the resignation would not impact on the day-to-day management of the tribe, which was going through a restructuring, and there was no hurry to seek a replacement.
"Any change is difficult but it happens. We will go through the right processes. I wish him all the best for the future."
A senior tribal member, who did not want to be named, said it would be just a matter of time before Mr Potiki re-emerged in a senior leadership role.
Ngai Tahu Group Holdings board chairman Wally Stone said he was disappointed by the departure.
"We were keen for Tahu to stay on as CEO, but this is his choice and we respect that.
"There are many opportunities to provide leadership throughout the iwi structure and a move such as this does not mean Tahu cannot play a major part in other roles."
