Northland Labour list MP Shane Jones is unhappy over the appointment of "three white guys" to lead the region's new economic development and tourism body Northland Inc.
"I'm annoyed about it. To develop the potential of Northland, you can't turn a blind eye to the significant presence of Maori," Mr Jones said yesterday.
The Northland Regional Council this week appointed David Caselli, James Parsons and Russell Shaw as directors of the council-controlled Northland Inc, formed to carry out the functions of Enterprise Northland and Destination Northland.
Enterprise and Destination Northland used to be run by the NRC Community Trust but ownership transferred back to the council in July to ease costs. At that time, Northland Port Corp chairman Colin Mitten was appointed to chair Northland Inc for two years and act as the new organisation's CEO until one is appointed.
Former NRCCT trustees Irene Durham, Bill Shepherd, Andy Britton and Rawson Wright remained as interim directors of Northland Inc but will be replaced on Monday.