Kiingi Tuheitia, the Māori King, says more kōrero is needed about kotahitanga (unity) following a national hui in Heretaunga/Hastings.
About 2000 people gathered at Ōmāhu Marae for the Hui Taumata on Friday, where speaker after speaker challenged the Government's stance on things Māori feel are crucial to their wellbeing - such as language, culture, health and the environment.
On Saturday, Kiingitanga spokesman Ngira Simmonds said Kiingi Tuheitia is encouraging Māori to keep up discussions around mana motuhake [self-determination and authority].
"Ko te kai a te rangatira he koorero – discussion is the food of chiefs," Simmonds said in a statement.
"This is exactly what Kiingi Tuheitia wants us to keep doing and is the reason he is travelling to various hui across the motu and throughout the Pacific."
He also thanked Ngāti Kahungunu for hosting this week's hui - the second of its kind after the first Hui ā-Motu at Tūrangawaewae Marae in January.
"This conversation needs to continue, and we need to hear the voices of the people before moving to solutions, Simmons said.
The latest comments from the Kiingitanga come after Te Pāti Māori issued a Declaration of Political Independence, or Te Ngākau o Te Iwi Māori, on Thursday. The party said it wants to establish an independent Māori Parliament.
At Friday's hui, Kiingi Tuheitia himself said of the idea: "actually it frightens me".
Others at the hui also expressed uncertainty.
"That's something that could be ongoing," said climate activist Mike Smith.
"But I think in the short term, what we can do is just stem the bleeding. You know, we need to cauterise the wounds that have been created," he added.
Newshub asked Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka if it's difficult for him as the face of some Government decisions that are unpopular with Māori.
"No, no, it's not hard, because I think we're doing it for the right reason," he responded.
The Kiingitanga will host the annual Koroneihana celebrations at Tūrangawaewae Marae in August.
That'll be followed by the third Hui ā-Motu in Ngāi Tahu territory, in the South Island/Te Waipounamu later in the year.
