Widow’s posted video says iwi leader was paedophile

AUCKLAND: The widow of Te Awanuiarangi Black, a prominent iwi leader who died in 2016, has posted a video to social media alleging he was a paedophile.

In the video Anihera Black, at times distressed, said she was speaking on behalf of herself and family.

The family had decided not to unveil Mr Black’s headstone as it would perpetuate the illusion of who he was, she said.

She said her husband was himself abused as a child and that had created the same behaviour in him.

‘‘I am so extremely sorry and devastated.

‘‘I’ll do what I can to help navigate through your healing process, but here’s where you take your power back.’’

Ms Black said she and her family gave any potential victims permission to speak ‘‘your truth’’.

East Coast Labour MP Kiri Allen, who was born and raised in Tauranga, said there would be an immeasurable array of emotions from people in the area, and people throughout New Zealand.

‘‘Anger and fear, to everything that goes through when these types of issues rear their heads.’’

She said now healing would need to be brought to the community, from the impacts of what Ms Black had shared.