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The chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana says there is a continuing role strong central body is needed to defend the gains of the Maori fisheries settlement.
Te Ohu is holding hui this week to discuss restructuring options, and it will be in Tamaki Makaurau tomorrow.
Jamie Tuuta says last year's special general meeting following a statutory review voted that the national fisheries settlement trust continue, but that it be significantly restructured to put iwi at the centre of everything it does.
He says its main role continues to be to protect and enhance the fisheries settlement, and to react to issues like the government's new marine protection policy.
"The discussion we had in Christchurch yesterday was to ensure that Te Ohu and iwi are complimenting each other on whatever action we do take. Te Ohu is bit of a sentry if you like to ensure our rights that were fought hard for in the settlement process are not eroded further," Mr Tuuta says.
There is still debate about the range of tasks te Ohu Kaimoana will take on, and how it will be funded.
Tomorrow's consultation hui at the Auckland Airport Novotel starts at 10am.
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