Iwi fumes over $122,000 legal bill

One of the country's most powerful iwi has taken on an Auckland law firm over what it believes are excessive legal charges.

Tainui has lodged a complaint with the Auckland District Law Society over a $122,000 bill from law firm Russell McVeagh.

The dispute relates to work carried out by the firm last April defending a bid by the tribe's board to suspend then executive co-chairman Haydn Solomon for allegedly interfering in an investigation into Tainui's involvement in Corrections Department contracts.

In May, Justice Rhys Harrison, sitting in the High Court at Auckland, ruled there was no evidence Mr Solomon interfered with the investigation.

He ordered Mr Solomon be reinstated and that Tainui pay his $12,000 legal costs.

Mr Solomon was subsequently dumped from Tainui's executive after it was alleged in a confidential report that he and three former tribal workers invoiced both Tainui and Corrections for more than $10,000 each for the same work.

A source on the tribe's executive who did not want to be named said board members were furious at the amount charged by Russell McVeagh - more than 10 times what Mr Solomon's lawyers charged.

"He wins in court and is charged $12,000. We have to fork out $122,000 for losing."

The source said independent legal advice estimated a charge of $45,000 to $60,000 was more appropriate.

Tainui chairman Kingi Porima confirmed a complaint had been lodged but declined to comment on the matter.

Auckland District Law Society spokesman Fergal McGeown said written submissions would be called from both parties before a hearing was held for oral submissions, likely to be early in the new year.

A spokesman for Russell McVeagh said client confidentiality prohibited any comment.

Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere, a former lawyer, said high legal fees for Maori organisations were a growing problem.

He urged more sensible use of lawyers and measures to ensure costs were monitored.

"They should ask for an estimate or an initial assessment and opinion. Unless they do the calculator is running and it's open-ended."

Mr Tamihere said Maori organisations called in lawyers too often.