Ngati Kahungunu iwi in Hawke's Bay plans to ask Maori farmers to stop sending stock to AFFCO's sheep and beef plant in Wairoa because of a lock-out of workers there.
Deputy Chairman Rill Meihana says the request is part of the iwi's strategy to support the 110 meat workers, many of them Maori, who have been locked out of the plant.
He says farmers are in a position to hold on to their stock because of the good growing season.
Mr Meihana says the iwi is aware that it has to be fair and doesn't want to just "have a go at the works" and favour just one side.
But he says Ngati Kahungunu wants to come in to help the needy.
