Sonny Tau may have to answer for his own transgression in another forum, but the shame he has brought on the very house he so righteously held up as the paragon of right and truth in the Te Taitokerau has been shaken to its foundation and for that only the hapu of Ngapuhi can atone." "The mana of Te Taitokerau has been disgraced by these events and this needs to be set right. 1 Does the Deed of Mandate list of hap really reflect Ngtiwai. Mr Shortland said Ngai Tahu was understandably aggrieved by the taking of kereru from the South Island. 5 The Ngpuhi Mandate Inquiry Report (2015). An individual who cannot respect rahui and the kaitiakitanga of another Iwi is not a leader that should be empowered to lead. "Sonny Tau was never a leader we empowered. He said he was facing questions about Mr Tau's conduct and ability to lead Ngapuhi.
Mr Shortland is the chair of Ngati Hine, which heads the Kotahitanga grouping of hapu which have challenged the mandate to negotiate Ngapuhi's Treaty settlement. A fully referenced and illustrated report is available on request from Te Tira the Mori Heritage Team of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Ngati Hine's chairman Waihoroi Shortland said Mr Tau had brought the iwi into disrepute and should not stay on in iwi leadership roles. Historical and associated iwi/hapu/whanau. The offence carries penalties of a fine of up to $100,000 and a prison sentence of up to two years. The Wildlife Act prohibits the hunting, possession and receiving of kereru. Mr Tau is still a board member of the Tuhoronuku group as an iwi representative, but Sam Napia has been appointed Acting Chair. Ngpuhi Haps and a shared vision to match the economic boost. However, it acknowledged Mr Tau's leadership over the past 15 years had taken the runanga to the position it was now in and he would remain as chair. Respondents were given a list of potential issues facing Ngpuhi and asked to rate their. It does not condone the taking of kereru." " is very disappointed with the actions of the Chairman. The runanga's statement said the board had discussed the Doc investigation into Mr Tau at a meeting last night. There have also been calls for Mr Tau to stand down from his other iwi roles, including on the Ngapuhi runanga. On Monday night, the board of Ngapuhi's Treaty negotiating body Tuhoronuku voted to remove Mr Tau as chair while he was under investigation by the Department of Conservation over the protected bird. In a statement, Ngapuhi's runanga board said it had met and decided Mr Tau would stay on as chair but it was "very disappointed" by his actions after he was caught with kereru, or wood pigeon, when boarding a flight from Invercargill to Northland last week.
Photo by Gerard O'BrienNgapuhi will keep Sonny Tau on as iwi chairman despite his removal as chair of the iwi's Treaty settlement body, Tuhoronuku, over an incident involving dead kereru. Kereru are protected birds under the Wildlife Act.