The Maori Council says the timing of its announcement to take over the warranting of Maori wardens is sincere and not cynical.
The council is now assigning accreditation to the volunteers, complaining that the job took too long under Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Maori Development.
The decision to take back the role comes as the Government reviews a piece of legislation that oversees the Maori Council and the wardens.
A deputy chair of the council Des Ratima says the timing is a co-incidence.
He says the Maori Council's move is not connected to the consultation.
Mr Ratima says he's been talking to his warranting committee for two years about taking over the accreditation - well before the review was announced.
