She said that was the only comment she wanted to make on that.
Mr O'Keefe said he felt all those involved with the trust had the same intention - of helping people - but different ways of doing so. The direction the trust was moving in contrast with how he worked - which was spontaneously, rather than structured.
"It's not about right or wrong, for me U-Turn was really about the simplicity of it all, it wasn't a big complicated machine and for me personally that's what it started to look like."
The Hastings District Councillor said he "felt terrible" about where the situation had ended up.
"I could have kept carrying on but ... I wasn't feeling [it in my heart]. It just wasn't clicking, and again I blame myself for that," he said. "It's not a nice feeling at all and I hope it never ever happens again, and I hope there's a learning and I take the learning."
Over the years the trust has worked to improve the wellbeing of the Flaxmere community, helping residents with employment, housing, and health, as well as combating family violence, reducing levels of criminal and anti-social behavior, and rehabilitating prisoners.
As well as running social programmes, it supported many community initiatives including the Flaxmere Boxing Academy, Te Aranga Marae, Community Garden, Tunu tunu mobile barbecue, and Heroes Calendar.
These would continue being supported through another entity with the U-Turn name, which Mr O'Keefe hoped would be "up and running" by the end of the month.
"U-Turn has come to the crossroads and it's time to move on to the next stage," he said. "The next stage for me is back to its core, or back to the simplicities of it ... it's all about love and compassion and all that, loving the people, and getting out there."
His sister Shona West would be joining Mr O'Keefe and his wife Pam.
Ms Apatu will head the Wharariki Trust, which she said would continue running some of the U-Turn programmes - such as the Jarmy Army, and would retain the U-Turn trustees.
Joining them would be a "youthful, female voice" of Flaxmere's Lisa Pohatu, the first Flaxmere College graduate to achieve a masters degree. Mr Norton would also become trust chairman, as Mr Graham had stood down.
The Wharariki trust - named for a native flax known for being strong and resilient - would focus on helping Flaxmere residents succeed, through partnerships, building skills and independence, and organising practical solutions to better peoples circumstances.
The trust already had a "strong, robust plan" with ambitious goals including supporting teen parents, helping youth gain drivers licenses and secure employment, improve housing situations, and build trust with gang whanau for whanau development plans.
They would also partner with other agencies in major projects to "improve community facilities, access to services, and community events which creates a sense of pride and makes Flaxmere a great place to live".
Despite Flaxmere being a small community, Ms Apatu said she felt there would be room for both organisations, and the Wharariki Trust had "plenty to get on with".
This was echoed by Mr O'Keefe, who said he thought there would be a difference of delivery between the two trusts.
"I think there'll be occasions where they overlap, but there's enough social ills out there ... I mean no one's got a monopoly on that."
Mr Yule - former Hastings mayor - said he felt this was a natural progression, which would ultimately benefit Flaxmere.
"Henare's family are supporting him and getting behind him in terms of what he wants to do, and the Wharariki Trust are getting on with some ... bigger things that are supporting Flaxmere, and I support both.
"I think in this case, one and one will end up being worth three for Flaxmere."
Mr Norton said he did not want to comment. Hawke's Bay Today could not reach the other former U-Turn trustees.