04 February 2011

For Immediate Release

Hapu leader calls for investigation of Waitangi media charge

Chairman of the Matarahurahu Hapu, David Rankin has called for an urgent investigation of the finances of Te Tii Marae. This comes in the wake of revelations that $25,000 has been allocated to the Marae by the Waitangi Commemorations Committee. This sum is in addition to the thousands of dollars the Marae will be collecting from media organisations which it has levied a charge of $1000 each this year.

There are two issues that are of concern to Mr Rankin and his hapu. The first is that the decision to charge to $1000 “koha” has been made without the consent of the marae’s shareholders.

“I am a shareholder of the marae, and none of us was even informed of this “koha”. Had I known, I would never have approved”, says Mr Rankin. “

The second issue is that there are no records of where the money from last year’s Government grant went. ”There should be a set of accounts, receipts, IRD records, and proof of expenditure”, says Mr Rankin. “Instead, there is nothing at all, and so far this year, the same applies for this year’s funding”.

Mr Rankin lays the blame at the feet of Te Tii Marae’s self-appointed spokesman Kingi Taurua. “Mr Taurua has had his hands in this funding, and has demanded the media charge as well. What I simply want to know is where has the money gone?”

Mr Rankin has requested that all the financial records of Te Tii marae be made available by midday on Saturday. “If I do not receive sufficient evidence of transparency in the marae’s financial dealings”, says Mr Rankin, “I will formally ask IRD to investigate the way in which the marae’s funding has been appropriated”.

ENDS

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