A hui in Hawera has demanded the resignation of Corrections chief executive Ray Smith following the removal of Ngapari Nui as kaiwhakamana at Whanganui Prison.
Spokesperson for Ngati Ruanui Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the 200 people at the hui were a cross-section of the local community.
Ngati Ruanui is demanding the immediate resignation of Ray Smith CEO of the Department of Corrections following the actions he has taken in removing Ngapari Nui as Kaiwhakamana for prisons.
"The iwi believe Ray Smith needs to take responsibility for the way in which their kaiwhakamana was removed given that he made the appointment."
"[It is] shameful that today Ray Smith has dispatched a commissioner, Jeremy Lightfoot, to meet with Mr Nui rather than coming himself."