Te Puni Kokiri says it won't be making any staffing changes, until it's talked to iwi, hapu and whanau about which direction the agency is going in.
However, the ministry's held off from filling 56 jobs, while a review of the department was carried out, which found it should take a bigger role in providing strategic advice, leadership and guidance to the state sector.
Head of the agency, Michelle Hippolite, told MPs on the Maori Affairs Select Committee the shape of her workforce is yet to be decided.
She says Te Puni Kokiri still has to narrow down what the ministry is seeking to contribute, change and influence in the Crown-Maori relationship.
Ms Hippolite says the department's direction needs to be mapped out before it decides whether people will be made redundant or if the make-up of the staffing will look different.
She says 306 full-time positions have been supported by 56 contractors and workers on fixed term contracts while the review was being done.
