Press Release – Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust

18 October 2004

The chairman of Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust, Eynon Delamere, has today released a letter, which confirmed details of the $195,000 payout to MP John Tamihere.

The letter dated May 3, 1999, and addressed to Mr Tamihere, says the Trust Board met on 16-18 April 1999, and agreed to make a payment to him totalling $195,000.

The letter said the payment was in recognition of the following: Mr Tamihere’s performance to June 30, 1998. Mr Tamihere’s performance to June 30, 1999.

Continuation of Mr Tamihere’s employment from July 1, 1999, to October 31, 1999, where Mr Tamihere was asked to concentrate on: - Progressing the Memorandum of Understanding with Ngati Whatua. - Progressing the establishment of Te Whare Wananga to the extent that it speeds up the completion of the project, and maintains a quality product. Ex Gratia payment for Mr Tamihere’s contributions to Te Whanau o Waipareira.

The above, should Mr Tamihere accept, was to take effect from July 12, 1999.

Mr Delamere says this should clarify comments he made at a Trust news conference on Friday, which the news media had interpreted as money given to Mr Tamihere in return for political favours.

“Of course we expected Mr Tamihere to further the cause of urban Maori in his role as an MP. Everyone has an expectation of that. That’s what MPs are supposed to do.”

“Sadly the media got the impression from off-the-cuff comments I made at Friday’s press conference that Mr Tamihere’s expected Parliamentary duties were a condition of the payment. I apologise for any misinterpretation that may have been taken from my remarks.”

Mr Delamere added that the Trust will be very pleased to co-operated with any enquiry set up to establish the facts. Mr Delamere added he had no further comment at this stage.

ENDS

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