Solomon loses runanga role

Ngai Tahu leader Sir Mark Solomon has been ousted as chairman of his Kaikoura runanga.

The runanga, one of 18 in the Ngai Tahu tribe, has been rocked by a recent police investigation into allegations of historic sexual abuse.

Kaumatua Tai Stirling, 60, one of Solomon’s numerous first cousins, was sentenced to home detention and community work this week on charges arising from events up to 40 years ago.

To add to the turmoil, a fight for control of the runanga developed, with Solomon ousted after a vote of no confidence at a Takahanga Marae meeting several weeks ago. He resigned before votes were counted. The count revealed the no-confidence vote was carried.

Henare Manawatu, a former school principal, has been elected the new chairman.

Manawatu, who is Solomon’s first cousin, is a senior contract manager for Ngai Tahu education.

It was understood some in the runanga felt the marae was being run more like a business than a cultural entity.

Solomon and his supporters have sought legal advice about whether the vote followed constitutional rules and on Saturday an independent lawyer will brief the runanga on legal issues.

Final decisions will be made at a special meeting on April 24 at Takahanga Marae.

‘‘Papatipu runanga are democratic institutions and our people are free at any time to seek change as long as the constitutional processes are followed,’’ Solomon said. ‘‘I have resigned from my role as chair of the executive.

‘‘However, I am still a member of the Kaikoura runanga executive as representative for Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. This means my role as kaiwhakahaere is unaffected.’’

Solomon did not respond to questions about the reasons for his resignation. Runanga members have been told not to talk to the media.

Ngai Tahu’s runanga structure overlays the hapu that make up the iwi. Each of the 18 runanga appoints a member to represent its interests at Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, the iwi’s governing council.

Each runanga has its own governance structure and represents Ngai Tahu at local government and community level.

Solomon was born and raised in Christchurch but Kaikoura is where his Ngati Kuri ancestors settled.