Tribal heads disown claim made in Whakatohea name

The head of a tribe claiming guardianship over a stretch of coastline has publicly opposed the move.

Whakatohea Maori Trust Board chairman John Kameta said he had not been told that the claim along the Eastern Bay of Plenty coast for had been lodged with the Maori Land Court.

"I have my reservations. I didn't know it had gone that far. We have had no input into that initiative," he said.

Mr Kameta said the group of about 17 iwi members who made the claim did not speak for the iwi.

"They are free to express themselves. We can't stop other Whakatohea members' initiatives."

The claim is the first to test the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Whakatohea has around 11,000 members from six main hapu.

An elder for one hapu, Ngati Ngahere's Tahu Taia, said he was saddened to see a small group using the tribe's name in the media.

He said the claim was lodged by individuals who had not consulted with hapu and did not represent Whakatohea.

Mr Taia said the case would require wide consultation and a strong mandate if it hoped to succeed.

"This is an under-prepared kneejerk case, with no consultation and no support from hapu."

The trust board was told by the Government in December to get its house in order after an inconclusive ministerial inquiry into bitter splits in the organisation.