October 22, 2019
Support call for Mere Mangu as Ngāpuhi in turmoil
A Ngāpuhi kuia says rūnanga members need to unite around new chair Mere Mangu.
Titewhai Harawira says the sudden resignation of long-serving chair Sonny Tau has thrown the rūnanga into turmoil.
She says people are still waiting for a clear explanation for the resignation, and Mr Tau continues to try to manipulate things behind the scenes, with rūnanga board members not giving Ms Mangu the support she could expect.
"She’s well qualified to lead Ngāpuhi forward. She’s been working there to where she is right now and I’m glad that she is holding that position because she will stay loyal to the wants of Ngāpuhi," she says.
In a statement released by the rūnanga when Mr Tau stepped down two weeks ago, chief executive Lorraine Toki said the rūnanga was not part of any investigation of allegations against Mr Tau, and responsibility for that lay solely with the police.
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