December 23, 2021
Tūhoe leader faces fresh challenge
On the heels of a landmark win in the Māori Appellate Court, a Tūhoe kaumātua rōpū has asked the Māori Land Court to order a fresh election for the seat on the iwi’s post-settlement governance entity held by chair Tamati Kruger.
This week’s judgment dismissed an appeal from Te Uru Taumatua that it was not subject to oversight by the Māori Land Court.
The court upheld its decision in an earlier case, Moke versus Ngāti Tarawhai Iwi Trust, that it has jurisdiction over trusts that own general land and other assets on behalf of Māori.
That decision is likely to go to the Court of Appeal.
In the meantime, Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe is seeking an injunction to stop Mr Kruger acting as a trustee.
Applicant Paki Nikora says elections need to be independently monitored, in line with Te Uru Taumatua’s trust deed.
He says rather than accept nominations from marae komiti, Mr Kruger and his supporters claim to be selected by so called hapū trusts which have no legal definition or status.