A collective of leading Ngai Tahu members is calling for all representatives of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu (Tront) to resign and for an independent review of tribal governance, management and expenditure to begin.
In a letter sent to iwi members, the six representatives, which includes Otakou runanga chairman Tahu Potiki, are calling for a "new and fresh direction for Ngai Tahu".
The letter highlights problems in the management of the iwi, including tension between Tront and Ngai Tahu Group Holdings, the business arm of Ngai Tahu.
Tension between rival factions came to a head earlier this year, following the surprise sacking of Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation chairman Wally Stone.
In the letter, the collective alleges Tront representatives who were supportive of the "current regime" met in secret last week, agreeing to a "smear campaign" and making private emails from the collective public.
Copies of these emails, which detail a communication strategy for the collective, were sent to iwi members and posted to the Ngai Tahu website on Sunday.
Last week, Mr Potiki told the Otago Daily Times it appeared emails had been hacked, and he was no longer prepared to be intimidated by "dirty tactics".
Mr Potiki did not return calls yesterday.
On Sunday, Ngai Tahu kaiwhakahaere (chairman) Mark Solomon said in an open letter to iwi members there was a "co-ordinated endeavour to damage the reputation of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu through the media".
Mr Solomon, who remains the Kaikoura runanga representative following a meeting on Sunday, has called a hui for Friday to discuss "current matters in the Ngai Tahu way, openly and on the basis of accurate information".
