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The trial of former Ngapuhi Runanga chair Raniera Tau has started in the district court at Whangarei.
The trial of former Ngapuhi Runanga chair Raniera Tau has started in the district court at Whangarei.
The 69-year-old yesterday pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecent assault on a teenage girl and three of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering money to settle the matter out of court.
The alleged indecent assault took place at Rangi Pt, in the Far North on January 1, 2017.
The trial is expected to last a week.
The runanga says because of Mr Tau’s wide family links, high profile, and work within the iwi and community over many years, the matter has impacted significantly on members of the iwi, the rūnanga, and its staff.
It will make no further comment until the trial is over.
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