UPDATED 6.15PM Ngapari Nui has been described as a highly respected community leader, by his Iwi.

Mr Nui has been stood down from his volunteer, rehabilitation work at Whanganui Prison, after his connections to Black Power were called into question.

LISTEN ABOVE: Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui iwi leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer speaks with Larry Williams

SEE ALSO: Gang members may have something to offer prisoners - expert

Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui iwi leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said Mr Nui was an angry young man who joined the gang in the early 70's.

She said he's since turned his life around but is using his background to help mentor troubled young people.

Ms Ngarewa-Packer said he "could easily have traded in his colours and walked away, but he didn't", because that gives him an 'in' with many of the families he's trying to connect with.

She said in small-town Taranaki there are very few social services, so many roles have been defaulted to Mr Nui.

"Over a period of time, he's gravitated to becoming a highly regarded, respected, on the ground kaumatua who works with really difficult, hard to reach families."

A meeting between the iwi and Department of Corrections staff over Mr Nui's future working in prisons took place this morning.

Ms Ngarewa-Packer said it's clear Corrections thinks Maori don't have a role in rehabilitating Maori offenders.

She said at the meeting all officials could say was a review of those associated to gangs was underway.

But she said members of the iwi got the impression Mr Nui's role is over.

"The message that we got there is that they will make the decision on what they think are the best solutions for our whanau that are inside, that they have no intentions of asking the iwi to reappoint anyone else."

Corrections won't say whether Mr Nui will be able return to rehabilitating offenders in prison.

Chief Executive Ray Smith said a person working to discourage people from joining gangs must first cease their own affiliation.

The review will look at all existing prison volunteers to see whether there are any active gang members, and initial findings are expected around mid-September this year.