Maori protest group leader avoids trespass charges

HAMILTON - The leader of a Maori sovereignty group that occupied a Huntly caravan park will not face trespass charges.

Te Kuru Pounamu, 53, also known as Edward Paerama, was the leader of a three-week occupation at Lake Hakanoa Motor Caravan Park in July.

While seven other people were arrested on July 25 for breach of bail, trespass, obstruction, possession of a pipe to smoke cannabis and intending to threaten, Pounamu was arrested on charges of failure to answer bail and driving while disqualified.

Pounamu -- who calls himself the Maori governor-general -- saw red when the registrar said in Huntly District Court yesterday that he was charged with wilful trespass on the Waikato District-owned land.

"That's a lie," he said. "I was a tenant paying rent."

Registrar Thurza Eichler had confused Pounamu's name with that of his wife, Te Kereru Pounamu (or Kereru), who faces the wilful trespass charge.

He was bailed to three other courts around the country to answer the driving offences.

Meanwhile, Brendon Ohara Tumai, George Riwhi Tauariki, Harry Colin Riki, Nicola Rose Maunsell and Wana Steve Nepia all entered no pleas and were remanded on bail to appear for a status hearing on September 28.

Ora Stephen Matoe, who was arrested on a breach of bail charge at the park, did not appear.

Mrs Pounamu also did not appear in Huntly as she was due in Hamilton District Court on a charge of careless driving causing injury. A plea of not guilty was entered and she will also appear on September 28.

- nzpa