Former adviser lashes out at king

While some children in rural Waikato rely on a local gang to provide their school lunches, their king’s office is being accused of splashing out more than $100,000 on perfume, beauty treatments and clothes.

The allegations are written in a letter signed by Tukoroirangi Morgan, a former adviser to the Ma¯ori king, and obtained by Stuff. The letter lists multiple allegations about the spending at King Tuheitia’s office, which is managed by Rangi Whakaruru.

Whakaruru, who is Chief of Staff and an adviser to the king, is at the centre of a Serious Fraud Office investigation.

In July, the king’s office in Nga¯ruawa¯hia was searched by SFO personnel in a separate investigation into the Ururangi Trust. The trust manages the office of the king.

The trust receives $1.7 millon annually from its parent trust, Waikato-tainui’s Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust.

Morgan also attacked the king’s communication style as embarrassing, his care of his people non-existent, and his credibility as flawed.

Media queries were referred to Sir Wira Gardiner, who is now the king’s communication adviser. In a text message Gardiner said: ‘‘We will not be making any statement other than: As is well known, the SFO continues to investigate aspects associated with the King’s office. Until such time as they report, we will certainly not be commenting on any such matters of allegations.’’

In his letter addressed to the king, Morgan examines the spending by Whakaruru while contrasting it with the state of his people. ‘‘How can a $83,000 loan be given to Rangi Whakaruru when tribal members have no homes and kai to put on their table,’’ Morgan wrote. ‘‘How can Rangi justify his $250,000 salary, his $100,000 leased SUV and his ability to have all his expenses reimbursed by the office including Business Class travel, hotels and incidentals when some tribal members don’t even have kai to give their children to take to school. Outside the very doors of your office in Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia, the HUK Gang is providing lunches for our children.’’

The Tribal Huk gang has been making sandwiches for local children since 2014.

Morgan lays out exactly what he alleges the money was spent on, writing: ‘‘$129,000 spent on perfume, beauty treatments and clothes. There was also $90,000 in cash withdrawals. As for the nine staff members on the payroll, we will soon know who they are when the Serious Fraud Office undertakes their investigation. All of the spending was under Rangi Whakaruru’s management.’’

In the letter, Morgan wrote that he would continue to support the Kı¯ngitanga movement but his support for King Tuheitia is ‘‘but a fading memory’’.