Hapu¯ recovers after cash shock
There are positive signs a Taranaki hapu¯ is bouncing back after allegations it was ripped off to the tune of $630,000 by one of its own.
Nga¯ ti Te Whiti Whenua Topu Trust was rocked last year when an internal investigation found financial discrepancies, prompting a police investigation and an independent review of its operations at the behest of a Ma¯ ori Land Court judge.
The missing funds also resulted in the scrapping of hapu¯ plans to build a $4.5 million marae near New Plymouth’s Nga¯ motu Beach.
The allegations have since resulted in charges being laid against the trust’s former chief executive and hapu¯ member, Shaun Joseph Keenan.
The ex-police officer is facing 46 counts of theft by a person in a special relationship, six charges of forgery and five of obtains by deception, all related to missing funds totalling about $637,000.
Keenan, 56, has yet to plead to any of the 57 charges.
In August last year Judge Layne Harvey ordered an independent review into the affairs of Nga¯ ti Te Whiti.
During Thursday’s judicial conference in the Ma¯ ori Land Court, those present heard that independent lawyer Spencer Webster had completed a draft report based on interviews he conducted the Nga¯ ti Te Whiti trustees and members.
However, the hapu¯ had not had a chance to reply to its content and additional information was still required before the report could be finalised by Webster and officially dealt with by the court.
Judge Harvey said at first blush the report ‘‘didn’t make for happy reading’’.
The public gallery of the New Plymouth Family Court, which was used for the hearing, was packed with hapu¯ members.
In response to questions the judge asked about how things were for the group currently, independent trustee Pauline Lockett appointed by the Ma¯ori Land Court last November - provided an update.
She said monthly meetings were being held now and audited accounts had been completed for the 2015 and 2016 financial years. Last year’s accounts were also due to be looked at in July and a budget for the next 12 months had been proposed.
She said the trust’s financial position was improving, with about $150,000 in investments and other money in the bank. It has an annual income of about $340,000.
After a short hui, held behind closed doors, departing trustees Peter Moeahu, Kristin Katu and Garry Nicholas, all of whom did not seek re-election in December, were officially replaced by Linda McCulloch, William Shelton Healey and Toumairangi Melissa Marsh.
The incoming trio were votedin at the election.
In response to a question raised about a potential review of the trust deed, Judge Harvey said the Ma¯ ori Land Court would provide some expertise, at its cost, to the hapu¯ .
A hearing to consider Webster’s report is likely in either August or October. Keenan is due in court on May 10.