Tukoroirangi (Tuku) Morgan has returned as chair of Te Arataura after Linda Te Aho stepped down from the role last week.
Morgan returns to the role he held from 2006-2012 when he helped spearhead the Waikato River settlement claim with both the Labour and National governments alongside the late Lady Raiha Mahuta.
He remains adamant the foundational principles of Kīngitanga should be seen as a critical driver in determining how Waikato-Tainui navigates through the next few years.
"Linda steered the waka through some turbulent waters as the organisation pivoted and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic," Morgan said.
"She battled hard to advocate for Māori representation on local councils and to have that voice elevated to the respective decision-making tables. We will see the fruit of that mahi this year in the local body elections."