Opinion: Kingitanga's big challenge

OPINION: The Maori King is facing his most challenging time since his coronation after the death of his mother in 2006. King Tuheitia Paki succeeded the revered Dame Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu and the man with a liking for nice cars has hit the first significant speed bump in his reign.

A series of revelations reported by the Waikato Times has not pleased the king and his supporters. In an unusual move he made an impassioned speech to the Waikato-Tainui tribe's parliament, Te Kauhanganui, just over a week ago. Some in attendance at the meeting claimed King Tuheitia indicated he would abdicate if tribal members did not fall into line behind him, though the Maori leader's spokespeople quickly denied this. "King Tuheitia did not use those words, nor would he ever use such language," spokesman Rahui Papa said.

There is no doubt, however, that the king is not best pleased with tribal divisions. His representative on the board, Raiha, Lady Mahuta, said he had given an impassioned plea for unity.

"It is embarrassing, frustrating and increasingly uncomfortable to deal with other iwi, leaders and heads of state because of the behaviour in Te Kauhanganui," she said in the wake of his speech.

More evidence of the royal unease came at a recent Employment Relations Authority hearing, where the tribe is fighting a case of unjustified dismissal of the chief executive of its administration wing, Hemi Rau. Board chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan said during the hearing some of the allegations surrounding the king's office "hit at the heart of Kingitanga".

So what is at issue? The main talking point is over who is controlling the king's funds and how they are being spent.

The appointment of John "Barna" Heremia and Taitimu Maipi as directors of the company which receives $1.2 million from the tribe to operate his office were controversial. Mr Heremia and Mr Maipi were the two men at the helm of a Huntly kura kaupapa singled out by the auditor-general for making $400,000 in undeclared payments to its principal (Mr Heremia was the principal and Mr Maipi the board chair).

During his employment case, Mr Rau said he had been pressured to approve poorly advised spending and that he was determined the king's reputation would not be put at risk.

These claims are embarrassing and it is natural that those at the centre of them want the bickering to stop.

But there is a bigger picture here the king and his followers should think of. Times change and as the British royal family has found out, there is a higher need now for accountability and transparency. Blind loyalty to any monarchy is not guaranteed.

If King Tuheitia wants to leave Kingitanga in the same state his much-loved mother did, he may have to consider that the increasing number of people making their concerns known have a right to be heard and answered.

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