The purpose of the meeting was to resolve an issue that arose after the Council approved a road closure that enabled Top Gear to film and traverse along the revered Ninety Mile Beach.
Māori were up in arms upon learning they weren't consulted in decisions to restrict public access points along the beach.
Chair of Te Rūnanga nui o Te Aupōuri, Raymond Subritzky says, “we told them not to dictate to us what their plans are”.
For many years, far north tribes and the Far North District Council have struggled to work together to have Māori at the decision making table
Meanwhile the chair of Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa says in the end its not even about consultation but more so about the Council doing the right thing.
Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira says the key is to get Iwi sitting at the decision making table so that Council understands that Ninety Mile Beach belongs to Iwi.
However regardless of discussions, the sacred sands of Tohe still look set to be travelled upon by the UK production, Top Gear.
Mr Piripi says he will not be surprised if some form of protest is taken against this, but in the end he is confident this issue has been a catalyst to testing the need for Iwi and Regional Councils to work together and ensure Māori see the value in grabbing a seat at the decision making table.