November 28, 2016
Maanu Paul seeking review of Maori Council lawyers
Maatatua District Maori Council chair Maanu Paul is seeking a judicial review of the New Zealand Maori Council, laying bare deep splits in the organization.
Mr Paul claims to still be co-chair of the organisation, despite not contesting a vote at the council’s April meeting that confirmed retired High Court Judge Sir Taihakurei Durie as the sole chair.
He wants the court to rule that meeting out of order.
The dispute centres on the contention by Mr Paul and the Tamaki Makaurau District Maori Council that there is a conflict in the council using Sir Taihakurei’s wife Donna Hall’s law firm to do its legal work.
On the advice of Ms Hall, the council refused to accept that the Tamaki Makaurau members including its Waipareira head John Tamihere were properly elected.
There is a judicial conference going on today by phone to decide what will happen with the case.
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