Ngai Tahu executives were advised to "rationalise" to iwi members a decision to oust Wally Stone from his job as head of the tribe's commercial arm, leaked documents reveal.
The confidential papers catalogue problems between the Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation and the tribe's governing body, Te Runanga oNgai Tahu.
The report writer, Tony Gray, a runanga general manager, outlines the deterioration of the relationship between the two organisations.
"Without being exhaustive, I have seen plenty of evidence to demonstrate the inadequate behaviour of the NTHC board and its executives.
"In saying this, I am not saying that Te Runanga and the office have also acted appropriately in all circumstances. The current situation has cost Ngai Tahu Whanui and needs to be urgently addressed."
In the report, written in November, Mr Gray outlines a strategy to deal with Mr Stone's dismissal.
"I think that the approach [can be] rationalised to staff and external stakeholders ... Wally has done a great job in building the commercial base, the changing environment means we need to put in place stronger governance structures to protect and enhance our existing business ..."
Those sentiments are repeated by runanga chairman Mark Solomon in the media since Sunday's meeting.
In the Herald yesterday, Mr Solomon said it was nonsense to suggest that "personality politics" was a reason for Mr Stone's departure.
But the Gray report reveals a simmering resentment at his performance and that at the very least frustration had escalated to a point of no return by the weekend.
Yesterday Mr Solomon said tribal documents were private and would not be commented on. Mr Stone could not be contacted.
The report outlines a wishlist of potential candidates for Mr Stone's job, including Transpower boss and Far North District Council mayor Wayne Brown, who Mr Gray classifies as a "Government Mr Fix It man", and John Spencer, who leads Tainui Group Holdings.
Other names include Brian Roche from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Keith Rushbrook, a former KMPG partner.
