Ngati Porou is questioning why it should join with other iwi and hapu that have united over the water rights debate.
King Tuheitia called a national water rights hui, which was held last week.
Those attending the national hui reached a resolution that iwi and hapu would stand together.
Iwi and hapu from all seven Maori electorates were at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.
But, one iwi that wasn't was Ngati Porou from the East Coast of the North Island.
Its chair, Apirana Mahuika, questioned what unity really is.
He says in te reo that leaders throughout the world cannot be put into one hat because they hold great mana over their own people.
"E kī ana o mātou tīpuna, e kore ngā Rangatira o te ao i uru i roto i te pōtae kōtahi nā te mea he huhua ngā mana. Ko tēnei mea ko te mana, koinā te tino rangatiratanga o tēnā Iwi o tēnā iwi".
He questions why Ngati Porou should give up its inherited mana to another tribe when they're likely not to give their's to his iwi.
"Kāore ngā iwi e hiahia ki te tuku mai o rātou tino rangatiratanga ki ahau, nā, he aha hoki ahau te tuku i te tino rangatiratanga, he taonga tuku iho nā ōku mātua ki tētahi atu? Ki te tuku te mana rangatiratanga o Ngāti Porou ki tētahi atu, ka noho tātou, he iwi, kore he mana".
Apirana Mahuika says instead of going to the Maori King's hui, Ngati Porou will talk amongst themselves about their stance on water rights.
