M¯aori king hits back

The Ma¯ori king Tuheitia has come out swinging against those within the tribe threatening to undermine his office.

During his speech on the final day of his 12th annual celebration of his coronation, Tuheitia issued a stark warning.

‘‘I am sad there are a few people within us that wish to publicly undermine my office and therefore the kiingitanga,’’ Tuheitia said. ‘‘I recall my tupuna, Te Wherowhero, faced similar threats. He simply decided that the hole being dug for him would be filled by those with the shovel.’’

The Office of the Ma¯ori king faces a Serious Fraud Office investigation and allegations in a letter, written and signed by former Tuheitia adviser Tukoroirangi Morgan, accusing it of splashing out more than $100,000 on perfume, beauty treatments and clothes while WaikatoTainui children were fed sandwiches by a local gang.

In Morgan’s letter, he takes Tuheitia to task over criticism of him at the August Iwi Chairs Forum at Hopuhopu. Morgan said he had to defend himself after Tuheitia’s condemnation. Yesterday, Tuheitia told a crowd at Tu¯ rangawaewae Marae, Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia, he would continue to serve the kiingitanga ‘‘to the best of his ability’’. ‘‘And I will continue to speak out fiercely when necessary,’’ Tuheitia said. This year marks the 160th year of the kiingitanga.

‘‘Since my last coronation [celebrations], much has happened. It is my duty to be straight on matters that affect the state of the kiingitanga. You expect no less from me,’’ he said.

Tuheitia’s office, managed by Rangi Whakaruru, is at the centre of a SFO investigation. In July, the king’s office was searched by SFO personnel investigating the Ururangi Trust.

The trust receives $1.7 millon annually from its parent trust, Waikato-Tainui’s Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust.