KEY POINTS:
Labour list MP Shane Jones looks set to bow to pressure and stand down as chairman of the Maori Fisheries Commission - Te Ohu Kaimoana.
The Herald understands Mr Jones will announce his resignation as chairman at the commission's annual meeting in Wellington on Friday.
However, it is understood he will delay his departure from the 11-member board until its next meeting, scheduled for March.
A senior commission source said Mr Jones was expected to resign after a vote to elect a new chairman was held, a position expected to be won by current deputy and Whanganui iwi chairman Archie Taiaroa.
Mr Jones' move follows growing controversy about the first-term MP who vowed to give up the $70,000 position on the commission within a year of entering Parliament in 2005.
His departure is likely to spark strong lobbying among iwi leaders who failed to win one of four vacant places on the powerful commission in elections held this month.
Te Runanga o Te Whanau a Apanui chairman Rikirangi Gage and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana were elected new members, with deputy chairman Mr Taiaroa and board member Koro Wetere re-elected.
The term is for four years.
Ngapuhi chairman Sonny Tau failed to win a place, a snub understood to have angered leaders within the country's largest iwi.
Ngai Tahu chief executive Tahu Potiki was another candidate who failed to sway commissioners.
The pair are likely to be front runners to replace Mr Jones.
But Mr Tau's advocacy for recreational fishers had put him offside with some commissioners.
Another member said there was enthusiasm for the new member to be a woman, increasing female representation on the commission to two.
