A lower North Island runanga is urging Maori organisations to lobby the Government to set up an overarching ministry for all Maori affairs.
The Crown previously had a similar structure with the Department of Maori Affairs but that was dis-established in 1990.
Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui chairperson Neville Baker says there are multiple Maori agencies, and other services have been taken over by departments such as Housing New Zealand.
The status quo isn't working well for Maori and needs to change, he said. However, it's clear change cannot be gained through seeking political support.
Instead, the leadership on the proposal needs to come from a combination of iwi leaders and Maori entities such as the Maori Council, Maori Women's Welfare League and the Kohanga Reo movement, Mr Baker says.
Change needs to be driven by community, he says.
