Fox steps down amid business

Marama Fox has stepped down as Ma¯ ori Party co-leader.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Ma¯ ori Party said it had formally received and accepted Fox’s resignation from the position of co-leader.

Fox has been embroiled in controversy over debt.

The Ma¯ori Party president Che Wilson said: ‘‘We acknowledge the significant contribution that Marama has made to the party over the years.

‘‘Marama has been a dedicated advocate for social justice issues, particularly related to family violence. We support her decision to resign in order to focus on issues related to her private business’’.

Fox has lost her consultancy company in liquidation proceedings. Marama Fox Consultancy Group Tapui Ltd is registered in Masterton and was formed in October 2017, after she lost her parliamentary seat in the general election.

Ohnyx IT Solutions Ltd, a Masterton-based information technology support services provider, filed proceedings against Fox’s company at the High Court in Wellington, on July 3.

Associate Judge Kenneth Johnston made the order liquidating the company last month.

A Rotorua travel agent says she had been left nearly $40,000 out of pocket after the business went into liquidation.