Hapu critical of Whakatohea Maori Trust Board inquiry - Minister's decision wrong

Ngai Tamahaua Hapu Chair Peter T Selwyn says:

"The Ministerial inquiry by Mr Heron QC into the issues of election irregularities and malgovernance at the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board (WMTB) - released last week - clearly identifies that the general allegations of inappropriate conduct and improper processes are upheld and that these major problems do exist in the WMTB and that this misbehaviour has become ingrained in the culture of the WMTB. The WMTB's subsequent response published this week claiming a form of exoneration is without foundation and is misleading.

"Although the report did substantiate the allegations made the report was superficial and a forensic level of inquiry is needed to address the many serious concerns that Mr Heron could not complete because of the short time frame and his limited resources. The conflicts of interest and pecuniary gain involving the aquaculture assets is a key issue outstanding.

"Minister Mahuta's intention to validate the 2017 elections is of particular concern given Mr Heron's clear finding that the WMTB's electoral roll was never authorised for use as the legislation requires, is unverified and unverifiable, and that one nominee was accepted despite being late - it is difficult to see if this was a local government election that that would ever be permitted. Why are Maori Trust Boards subject to a second class standard of democracy? We have asked the Minister to reconsider her decision.

"The statements of the CEO/Secretary/Returning officer are ambiguous and inconsistent throughout the report and do not give confidence that a competent person holds these positions. Mr Heron went so far as to recommend that the board have the returning officer role be given to somebody else because the CEO/Secretary was not neutral as between the WMTB and the "pre-settlement" trust which is backed by government."

BACKGROUND:

Ngai Tamahaua is one of six Hapu which are part of the WMTB under the Maori trust Boards Act 1955. Each Hapu elect two trustees every three year by postal ballot. The Hapu have objected to the Waitangi Tribunal's recommendation of allowing the government mandated pre-settlement trust to run a re-vote on their mandate status.

Mr Michael Heron QC report (dated 13 September 2018) was given to the Minister for Maori Development and she has ordered them to report to her by 14 December 2018 on the progress in implementing Mr Heron's recommendations. Mr Heron found that the Trust Board's handling of their electoral roll was poor in many respects and that it had clearly not been authorised for use by the Board as required (Maori Trust Boards Regulations 1985 8(2)(a)).

Minister Mahuta's press release on the WMTB inquiry is available from the Beehive website:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/whakatohea-maori-trust-board-investigation-concludes

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