Goff scoffs at 'racism' claim in Awatere case

Donna Awatere Huata

Justice Minister Phil Goff has rubbished Maori Party candidates' claims that convicted fraudster Donna Awatere Huata is the victim of a racist system.

Party co-leader Pita Sharples and candidate Hone Harawira have said Awatere Huata is being treated more severely than white people who commit the same crimes.

Awatere Huata is in jail awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of ripping off a trust set up to help underprivileged children and then cooking the books.

She was convicted in the Auckland District Court last week, and faces a term of imprisonment.

Mr Goff said the claims, reported in yesterday's Sunday Star-Times, were "pathetic".

"A court of law and a jury found Awatere Huata guilty of fraud. She was found guilty on the evidence, not because of her ethnicity," he said.

Mr Harawira, a friend of Awatere Huata for 30 years, compared the case with that of Auckland millionaire property developer David Henderson, who was convicted for trying to buy cocaine and was ordered to pay court costs of $130. He will also stand by a promise to donate $10,000 to a drug rehabilitation centre.

"Maori people up and down the country are not surprised by what's happened because it happens to them all the time," Mr Harawira said.

"How many corporate guys go to jail? This is her first time [offending] and she's going to jail."

Dr Sharples said racism was a factor in the case.

"If this was a middle-class person from Remuera, there's no question they'd be dealt with so harshly."

He said many Maori were angered by Awatere Huata's conviction, and protests were likely.

Dr Sharples said he wanted to visit Awatere Huata in prison this week and would offer support at her sentencing.

Mr Harawira said Awatere Huata should not be jailed and the treatment of Maori in the judicial system should be reviewed.

"There are too many Maori in jail and they can't all be criminals."

He said Awatere Huata was a good leader and mother and was totally honest. "She ain't Jesus by any stretch of the imagination, but she is committed to her values."

The pair also believed Awatere Huata was unfairly denied bail before sentencing.

Mr Goff said it was a "knee-jerk" reaction to blame the system instead of the offender.

"Awatere Huata abused her position to rip money off from kids who should have been the beneficiaries of it [the Pipi Foundation]."

Taxpayer funding was used for Awatere Huata's own ends.

"It is a tragedy that someone who could have used her leadership skills to benefit these kids fell victim to self-interest and greed."

- NZPA