Nervous wait to hear Haumaha findings
Supporters of beleaguered police officer Wally Haumaha fear an upcoming report could derail the highflier’s path.
A report into Haumaha’s appointment to deputy commissioner, embroiled in controversy in recent months, is expected to be released in the coming week.
It presents a nervous wait for his supporters and it’s expected busloads will travel from Rotorua to protest an unfavourable outcome.
Sir Toby Curtis, leader of Haumaha’s iwi Te Arawa, said the high-ranking officer had been vilified for comments made 14 years ago as a senior sergeant.
In a 2004 witness statement, Haumaha backs officers accused of rape by Louise Nicholas, describing one as a ‘‘legend in his own right’’.
The comments came to light in June, sparking a Government inquiry. Lawyer Mary Scholtens, QC, has now prepared a report on whether all of the appropriate information was made available to both Cabinet and the State Services Commission prior to the appointment.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said Haumaha could be replaced.
Bullying allegations from 2016 have since surfaced and are now subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).
Curtis said the allegations could not only derail an inspiring career, but dash hopes he would become one of the iwi’s key leaders. Te Arawa Lakes Trust, chaired by Curtis, is building on the Rotorua lake front and has ambitions of extending developments into the town’s centre in coming years.
It is hoped Haumaha will one day lead future development projects, a prospect now thrown into question.
‘‘If the report is favourable, then fine,’’ Curtis said.
‘‘But, if it is unfavourable, then we naturally as a tribe would be very disappointed.’’
Curtis, a former principal to Haumaha at the now closed Hato Petera College in Auckland, said the bullying allegations were difficult to accept, and a ‘‘major protest’’ from Te Arawa people would follow any dismissal from the role.
The deputy commissioner walks in both Ma¯ ori and Pa¯ keha¯ worlds, and has led police through foreshore and seabed issues, an apology to Tu¯ hoe after the Operation Eight raids, and the organisation’s Ma¯ ori strategy Turning the Tide.
It’s work that had a group of highprofile Ma¯ori leaders appear before Scholtens in support of the deputy commissioner. Curtis was unable to attend because of illness.
‘‘To us, it would be a pity if those socalled allegations were to prohibit him from continuing in his role as deputy commissioner.
‘‘Whatever is being laid against him at this stage is being far outweighed by the way he has developed as a police officer, and the influence he’s had on guiding the police force in establishing better relationships with the Ma¯ ori community.’’