The Nga Pu Toru say they will uphold the Marae Moana legislation.
An opposition Democratic Party MP who attended a meeting on Mitiaro, Selina Napa, said she was astonished two staff from the Ministry of Marine Resources were there to support the overturning of Marae Moana rules.
The Minstry's proposal to free up the reserve surrounding each island met with a lot of resistance.