Tainui poll sought

With pressure mounting on its leadership one of Tainui's most respected members has called for new elections.

Tom Roa, who resigned as chairman of the tribe's parliament, Te Kauhanganui, last week, called for new elections after he failed to persuade the tribe's executive board, Te Arataura, to resign at a poukai meeting in Kawhia on Friday.

Mr Roa insists that in order to stop the attacks the tribe's elected members must stand down and turn their fate over to the people to be decided at a general election.

He was at the meeting to explain his decision to stand down as chairman.

"Te Kauhanganui which includes Te Arataura have caused embarrassment to the (Maori) King, we have caused embarrassment to the people and I am saying to the leaders front up and let the people decide because it is more than embarrassment, it has caused immense shame."

Concerns over King Tuheitia's spending and the tribe's governance have been mounting over recent weeks to the point where some elected officials publicly calling for the Maori king's office to open its books.

In an unprecedented move that directly challenges the king's authority, some members of Tainui's parliament, Te Kauhanganui, want the books of the king's office opened up to the public to quell suspicions over excessive spending.

The annual budget for King Tuheitia's office is $1.2 million compared with $250,000 when his late mother, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, reigned.

The money is provided by the tribe.

However, only a few people are privy to how the money is spent and concerns have been expressed about overspending.

In the spotlight is the king's travel budget. He has enjoyed several overseas trips since his inauguration in 2006 and, while the reasons behind the trips are not being questioned, the size of his entourage and the related cost are.

Tribal sources say that the travel expenditure has placed Tainui's charitable tax status and that of its commercial arm, Tainui Group Holdings, in jeopardy.

Phone calls made to the chief of staff at the king's office, Rangi Whakaruru, were not answered this morning.

The sources also want a group formed to review spending by the tribe's executive board, Te Arataura, which is headed by former MP and Te Arataura chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan.

- © Fairfax NZ News