October 26, 2016
Te Puea Marae backs embattled chair
Te Puea Marae has refused to accept an offer of resignation from its chair Hurimoana Dennis, who has been charged over the mock arrest of a 17-year-old involved in a sexual relationship with a minor.
It’s alleged that after being called in by the boy’s whanau, Inspector Dennis arranged for the boy to be locked in a cell at Auckland Central Police Station to show him the likely consequences of his actions.
Te Puea Marae trustee Martin Cooper says Inspector Dennis told the board 14 months ago he was under investigation and promised to tender his resignation if he was charged.
While under suspension he set up and drove the marae’s manaaki tangata programme to house the homeless over winter.
"You know we decided that for him to continue on. We are going to stand by him right through the case. Everyone under the law is not guilty until proven," says Martin Cooper
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