March 24, 2014
Kohanga Trust signals change
Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board has signaled a change in the directors of its Te Pataka Ohanga subsidiary, even though the Companies Office is not reporting any such change.
Co-chairs Timoti Karetu and Tina Olsen-Ratana say the trust and the company will cooperate fully with the Serious Fraud Investigation into Te Pataka Ohanga, as well the other investigation being carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The trust has also asked its auditor KPMG to review the controls it has over the company.
The co-chairs say the directors of Te Pataka Ohanga are Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, Druis Barrett, Wharehuia Milroy, Tukoirirangi Morgan and Tata Parata.
The Companies Office does not list Mr Morgan or Mr Parata as directors.
Maori Television last month reported that Mrs Barrett had been dumped as a director after challenging the way the trust was treating suspended Te Pataka Ohanga chief executive Lynda Tawhiwhirangi’s demand for a $400,000 exit package.
Dr Karetu and Mrs Olsen-Ratana say a national hui at Turangawaewe next month will include discussion of changes to the make-up and membership of the board, which is currently appointed for life.
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