August 26, 2015
Crunch time for Tau’s treaty role
Embattled Ngapuhi leader Sonny Tau’s place on the body overseeing the tribe’s treaty settlement negotiations comes down to how the votes stack up on Friday.
His Ngai Tawake seat is being contested in the latest election of hapu kaikorero for Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority by Adrianne Taungapeau, a former director Maori at Northtec who is studying for a doctorate in business management.
An Electionz.com spokesperson says there had been keen interest in the Ngai Tawake election, with votes closing at noon on Friday.
Mr Tau stood aside as chair of Tuhoronuku last month after he was found with kukupa or native pigeons at Invercargill airport.
He has since admitted possessing the manu by pleaded not guilty to hunting or killing the protected birds.
Another 27 new hapu kaikorero have joined Tuhoronuku as a result of the election process.
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