Queensland Maori wardens are accusing some local government agencies of undermining their work during Waitangi Day celebrations.
The wardens are based in Logan near the Gold Coast - a multicultural area home to hundreds of Maori families.
They say the Queensland Police Service recognises what they do to promote safer communities and act as security personnel at Maori events such as Waitangi Day.
But the president of the Queensland Maori Wardens, Rawiri Toko, says local authorities overlook them by bringing in other Maori people who work for security firms.
He says some government departments that come to take part in local events hire security guards, some of whom are Maori. They get paid up to $6000 to patrol the venue and just to open the gate, while the wardens' work is voluntary.
Mr Toko says the wardens cannot do anything because they have to abide by the local laws.
