Listen Now: 
The founding chair of Te Mana o Ngati Rangitihi Trust, Graham Pryor, has been unseated.
Members of the eastern Bay of Plenty tribe instead voted in former Te Puni Kokiri chief executive Leith Comer and prominent wahine Cathy Dewes and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait.
The trust, which was set up to pursue and manage Ngati Ranghitihi’s interest in the Treelord forestry settlement, has secured a mandate to negotiate a comprehensive settlement of its historical Treaty of Waitangi grievances.
Chief executive Antony Olsen says just over 1000 votes were cast or 36.5 percent of eligible voters, a big jump on the last election in 2012.
He paid tribute to Mr Pryor and another ousted trustee, Martin Marr, who he says have been tireless and passionate advocates for the iwi.
A new chair will be elected next month.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
