Assault alleged at iwi meeting
Police are investigating an alleged assault at a Taranaki iwi’s annual general meeting, only weeks before a stoush between its trustees heads to court.
On Saturday, Te Runanga o Nga¯ ti Tama held its annual meeting at Pukearuhe Marae in Urenui.
During the meeting, it is alleged a man verbally abused a woman who had stood up to speak. As she continued to read information aloud off her cellphone, it is alleged the man grabbed the phone off her and threw it across the room.
New Plymouth Sergeant Bruce Irvine confirmed a complaint had been lodged and the case was assigned for a constable to investigate. Irvine said police did not attend at the marae but a report was made on Saturday afternoon.
The incident coincides with what has been a tense time for the iwi. Three of its elected trustees – Amos White, Lisa White and Tahu White – are currently suspended from their roles, a move they will challenge at a High Court hearing on August 20.
Bill Simpson attended the AGM and moved a motion of no confidence in all seven of the runanga’s trustees.
He cited the High Court case, the ongoing involvement of former runanga boss Greg White in iwi affairs despite millions of dollars being lost to bad investments during his time at the top, and a general lack of reporting to its membership.
However, his motion was voted down.
Despite this, Simpson said he felt everyone had a chance to have their say and while he had been aware of a ‘‘skirmish’’ at the meeting, he had not seen it.
Te Runanga o Ngāti Tama chairman Paul Silich has been approached for comment about the meeting and the alleged assault.
Along with trustee in-fighting, opinion has also been split between the group on the proposed $200 million roading project at Mt Messenger, work which would cut through a
The incident coincides with what has been a tense time for the iwi.
section of the iwi’s rohe (tribal area).
Te Runanga o Nga¯ ti Tama, the iwi’s post-settlement entity, held a neutral position and was involved in ongoing negotiations with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
Greg White, who was appointed by the runanga to lead negotiations with NZTA, has previously said the iwi was close to reaching an agreement around a compensation package which could see it switch to supporting the upgrade.
However, a splinter organisation, which is made up of some of the suspended runanga trustees and is known as Te Korowai Tiaki o te Haua¯ uru, had opposed the roading project.
Both groups are preparing to make submissions to the independent commissioner appointed to consider the 60 resource consents lodged regarding the road works. NZTA was to table its evidence tomorrow, with submitters due to follow next week.