Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples is sympathetic to a select committee recommendation that Maori wardens be become a stand-alone body, independent of the New Zealand Maori Council.
In a review of the Maori Community Development Act, the Maori Affairs Select Committee said any changes must focus urgently on improvements for the wardens and volunteers, who now receive some police training.
Dr Sharples says they are an important part of Maori life.
He told Waatea News that more work needs to be done on the type of organisational and legislative support the wardens will need.
