OPEN LETTER
TO ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS OF WAIKATO TAINUI
19th November 2012
He kororia, he maungaarongo, he whakaaro pai ki ngaa taangata katoa
Arohaina ngaa teina me ngaa tuakana
E kore e mutu te tangi ki oo taatou mate huhua o te waa no reira moe mai, okioki
Taatou ngaa kanohi ora ko te tumanako e noho ora mai ana koutou i oo koutou kainga takitahi huri noa i te rohe.
I have asked my Office to ensure this letter gets to as many Waikato Tainui tribal members as possible, knowing the
limitations of time and contact information available to them many of you may not get a copy, therefore I apologize. To
those of you who wish to, please make contact with my office and we can then get one sent to you. My aim for this letter
is to communicate to as many of you as I can my recent decisions in relation to the upcoming Kauhanganui & Te Arataura meetings scheduled for the 25th November and December 2012. My wish is that you will all gain an
understanding of what is happening based on what I have been exposed to and engaged in regarding these long drawn out
issues. Let me start with “My Review” which I present to you point by point.
Point A
It has been nearly three (3) years for me, when the leadership struggles started within the tribal organizations. I say
“for me” purposefully as it started on the day I granted an audience to both Tukoroirangi Morgan and Tania Martin, which
was the day after the elections that brought both of these people together again on the Kauhanganui. We discussed
several issues including the road and tasks ahead. Toward the end of the Hui, I was finally able to put two of the most
pressing questions on my mind at that time, to both Tuku and Tania, (1) could they both work together for the good of
this tribe and its people? And (2) what would either of them do, if a dispute or conflict ensued between them?
I got involved in trying to resolve the disputes very early and yes, I made a decision based on evidence that was
brought to me to consider and I made a choice to weigh in on an argument that put me at odds with a lot of people and
Marae. I do not regret those decisions only to say, I wish today that I had of been more thorough and stronger in so
much as I have watched from a distance, I have measured progress and I have taken advice from both inside and outside
our tribe.
ENDS
Most of what has been achieved is small when you consider the opportunities that we as a tribe have missed. We have
suffered huge losses in the form of wasted resources and confusion is rampant around the tribe and amongst our whanau.
I had a deep sense of despair at that initial Hui as it was clear that the personalities were going to collide and in my
mind there appeared to be no greater purpose that would carry these two above the obvious clashes that I sensed would
happen in the future. Some time later, Tuku was subsequently removed as the Chairman of Te Arataura and from the
conflict.
It is however obvious that Tuku was not the centre of the problem as some promoted and still promote. With the benefit
of hindsight, Tuku was basically in the way of a deliberate and organized power grab, and he was quickly replaced with
the present leadership of Te Arataura who are now spending more tribal funds to fight with Tania Martin and others. Te
Arataura and Te Kauhanganui executive members are talking past each other and are refusing to meet and reconcile their
differences. Both sides continue to consult their lawyers and the promises of responsible and sound leadership by both
parties are both empty and meaningless. Waikato Tainui deserves better leadership and we are certainly not getting what
we expected.
When will the in-fighting stop and when will we stop trying to sort out our issues in the Courts?
Point B.
From that day to this, so much has happened, regardless of the factions and groups who have emerged as parties to the
struggles and fights and their respective opinions and interpretations that they claim are justification for the fights,
they have continued on in the name of the people and members of the Tribe who don’t have a voice and/or voted them onto
the tribe.
Because I have been updated and informed regularly from day one, I have some degree of understanding and knowledge of
this entire saga. I assert that the remaining 90% of the 62,000 tribal beneficiaries know absolutely nothing of what has
and continues to happen within the two organizations and amongst its leadership.
When are both parties going to include our tribal members and give them a real voice through either a referendum or a
Hui a Iwi that they fund to help our people to attend.
As leader of Kiingitanga, I will spend the next 12 months working with our people on Kiingitanga & the Tribes Kaupapa. We must not pick and choose who we work with; our duty is to work for the good of all our people. I
recently called a Hui to Nationalize the Water debate and 1300 plus people turned up. Te Kauhanganui and Te Arataura
called a Hui a Iwi and you barely got 100 people.
What is deeply disappointing is that some of the Te Arataura leadership didn’t even turn up at the last Hui a Iwi.
Holding positions on Te Arataura is not a right, it is a duty to serve our people and given they are well paid they
should work for the privilege.
Point C.
My Late Mother the Queen and I stood together in 1995 on the Marae at Turangawaewae when the Raupatu Settlement was
ushered into being. We were in Government House when the Land Settlement was assented into Law by Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth ll. I done the same thing 2 years ago with the River Settlement and I sat with the Governor General in
Government House Vogel in Wellington as he signed it into Law. The responsibility was my Mothers in her time and mine in
my time, to guard and watch over these two very historical Settlements. I understood what was asked of her at that time
and me today.
She discharged her duty her way and I witnessed her demise when she suffered the indignity of being a named defendant in
a full High Court case. This case must never be forgotten because it was led by several people who currently hold
leadership roles within Waikato Tainui. They include people like Kiingi Porima, Hemi Rau and Tom Roa.
Point D.
I made a concerted decision back then that I would never allow myself to be treated that way if I ever got put in the
same position as Te Arikinui. I did however temper my decision and those thoughts two or so years into my reign by
adding the following – “If the needs of the majority of the people are ignored, dismissed and over-ruled without significant justification,
then I will dedicate my time, resources and effort to correcting it.” In other words “if people building is replaced
with empire building, then I will use all my energy and skill to make the necessary changes.”
The case brought against my Mother the Queen solved nothing for Waikato Tainui. Look at it today. The fallout gave a
handful of people a false sense of skill, ability, and mana as they moved to lead the people. More damaging to us as a
tribe, was the misconception that they done it for and were mandated by the people. This is still happening today, in
the name of our Iwi.
All of you who proclaim leadership by mandate, I challenge you to come out from behind your pens and stand on the Marae
where you can face our people and put your case. Do this for no fees or costs and do it on your own instead of with
Lawyers and QC’s.
The people give you the mandate and they expect you to be accountable for all your actions
Point E.
Mandate and the Right to Lead has to be taken seriously, not be used as a tool to advance false goals and aims that are
pitched at being for the “Good of the People”. The ‘rule book ‘ has been the almighty bible for the Kauhanganui and Te
Arataura and has become the mechanism to separate and divide our people. It has polarized views and has impeded this
tribe.
Point F.
The rulebook has taken the place of Mana and has been handed to the Courts to mediate and decide on. This has to stop as
it has caused irreparable damage to the tribe, the people and the Kiingitanga. When will it stop and who will stop it.
How do we maintain our Charitable Status?
What is Charitable about the fighting that has been going on in the tribe for three (3) plus years, how has Te
Kauhanganui reconciled the expense of Lawyers, QC’s, Fees and costs alongside the charitable objectives of the Trust
Deeds that govern this tribe. Has the Charities Commission commented on the risks to our Charitable Status? Has Inland
Revenue commented?
All of you who perpetuate this kind of irresponsible and cavalier behavior with Raupatu money must stop. If it was your
money, WOULD YOU SPEND IT THE SAME WAY? Yeah right!
As the Paramount Chief of this tribe and Leader of the Kiingitanga, I refresh my mandate each year at Koroneihana,
giving all of you the opportunity to challenge or dispute my role and position. Of all leaders in Maoridom, I am the one
only person in the one only institution that has to do this and it has been done for 157 years. I challenge those of you
in leadership positions in Te Kauhanganui and Te Arataura, to refresh your mandate and go back to your people.
For those of you who are perpetuating ongoing fights and imposing costs on us that go with the fights, I demand you step
down immediately and cease imposing your will over the majority of this tribe and its people.
I have spoken openly about the fact that if I had the authority and power to dissolve Te Kauhanganui and conversely Te
Arataura, I would have three (3) years ago. I am looking three (3) years ahead now and there is no way that I am going
to remain silent and stand aside to allow dysfunctionality to continue. I will not be judged by my people for my
in-action, when I am capable of acting even though my actions may be seen as intrusive, I want to know in my heart that
I tried. The leadership of Te Kauhanganui and Te Arataura has been reckless and shameful.
Many of you inside and outside of Te Kauhanganui and Te Arataura have all made judgments of me, my decisions, my
behavior, my words, my appearance, my children, my wife, my office and my staff.
I have continued to try to correct and improve myself regardless of your criticisms. These are challenging times and I
too must up skill and be vigilant about how to prepare for the future.
I now challenge those in leadership positions, executive board members and tribal staff to deliver for the tribe, our
people and Kiingitanga. Show us by actions not empty promises that you are deserving of your job with the tribe.
Point G.
I called into the Offices at Hopuhopu last week to collect a copy of the recent Annual report of the Waikato Raupatu
Lands Trust and spent that night reading it through and understanding its contents. I attended the Tangi of Onehau
Manuera at Te Teko. I met with the Chairman of Tainui Group Holdings, Sir Henry Van der Heyden in my office regarding
his progress and direction. I met with the three (3) Tainui Iwi Chairs on their updates and progress. I had an update on
the Water High Court Case from Sir Eddie Drury. I met with Dame Catherine Tizard and Owen Glenn in my Office regarding
the Glenn Inquiry into Child Abuse, I attended the Rangatahi Hui at Te Ohaaki Marae as they worked through my Charter. I
asked Hukiterangi and Tom Moana to present my Charter to the Kahui Kaumatua. I met with the Spring Hill Prison
Management in my office. I attended a Powhiri to welcome a visiting authority from Hawaii on Charter Schools. I received
a delegation of Ngati Koroki o Kahukura Kaumatua and claims team to brief me on their upcoming Settlement. I had lunch
with Te Arawa Group Holdings CEO in Rotorua and was briefed on progress as a courtesy. I attended the unveiling for
Joyce Paekau and I received Tuku Morgan as he came to seek my permission to contest the Chairmanship of the Te
Kauhanganui at the upcoming Hui on the 25th Nov or the AGM in December. This was my last three (3) days as I prepare to
depart for Fiji today. In between all of the above, my Secretary and I put this letter together, which I hoped would be
ready last week but I ran out of time.
Point H.
My point is that over and above my typical appointments, some things will drop out from my week that push buttons for me
and make me think again or re-visit an issue that was lying dormant. When this happens, it is my obligation to work it
through and make a decision, especially if it affects the Kiingitanga and my tribe. From that perspective, I have
concluded the following issues which I have noted as highlights in this letter and I ask you to consider and respect my
conclusions. You don’t have to agree as some normally don’t but consider the prospects before writing these issues off.
You have the choice to do what you think best like I do. My role is to seek harmony, peace, whanaungatanga, progress,
prosperity for all and Wairua sustenance through Paimarire. This is what I am committed to in my Charter and this is
what my vision for the next 20 years is based on. I have sent the Charter out among you; I have assigned the job of
promoting and speaking to my Charter to various people. Seek it out and make a point of reading it.
No reirara e Te Iwi,
Paimarire.
I have given approval and support to Tuku Morgan to contest the position of Chairman of Te Kauhanganui. He has the full
support of the Whare Ariki and Office of the Kiingitanga.
I have asked once again, for Tania Martin and her Officers to stand down from their positions. I am also asking Te
Arataura members to do the same.
I have asked that both Te Kauhanganui and Te Arataura refresh their mandates with their people and Marae at a new
election.
I have asked for a referendum across all tribal Beneficiaries regarding the future of this tribe and its organizations.
I have asked that the fighting stop, the wasting of resources cease immediately, and a sense of normal be reinstated
back into the organizations.
ENDS