Ngati Rangi will talk to the Department of Conservation to clear up the cultural use of dead kereru.
Frozen kereru meat was mixed with chicken and miro berries and fed to guests attending a hui at Maungarongo marae in 2013.
DoC had provided the birds to Ngati Rangi for some cultural uses, but not eating.
Ngati Rangi spokesman Che Wilson said the iwi was "keen to engage with the Department of Conservation to avoid future misunderstandings" about the cultural use of dead kereru provided by DoC. The iwi has approached DoC for clarification of the department's definition of cultural use, as soon as they became aware questions were being raised about how the birds had been used.
Mr Wilson said conservation has always been a key priority for Ngati Rangi and the iwi was keen to continue its work with DoC on conservation issues.