Elections are well on track for the board that will drive the iwi's Treaty negotiations with the Crown, Ngapuhi chairman Sonny Tau says.
Despite a boycott by several significant hapu, says the independent mandated authority Tuhoronuku will have a full complement of 22 members, Mr Tau said.
He said 68 hapu representatives were elected, and they will select 15 of their number to sit on Tuhoronuku.
Opponents said many hapu representatives were nominated by individuals and do not have the support of the hapu they purport to represent.
But Mr Tau said nominations were open to all and if hapu choose not to take part, that is up to them.
