Members of South Taranaki's Ngati Ruanui iwi are infuriated their kaumatua Ngapari Nui has been stood down from voluntary work at Whanganui Prison because of his Black Power affiliations, CEO Debbie Packer says.
Mr Nui was chosen by Ngāti Ruanui for the kaiwhakamana role five years ago. It is unpaid and aims to uplift and empower prisoners and integrate them into life outside prison.
The Patea man has been stood down because the Sensible Sentencing Trust's Scott Guthrie found out about his gang affiliations and told the Corrections Department. Minister Judith Collins is now promising a full scale review.
Mr Nui didn't want to talk to the Chronicle, afraid it would jeopardise his kaiwhakamana status.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust CE0 Debbie Packer said her iwi was outraged and there had been many phonecalls and posts on Facebook.