Pressure mounts on Tainui leader

A showdown is looming between two powerful Tainui leaders with one potentially walking out of tribal headquarters without a job within the week.

Hemi Rau, the Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui chief executive, has been under investigation by the tribe for alleged media leaks.

Tuku Morgan, the chairman of the tribe's executive board Te Arataura, has been the lead investigator and the signs look ominous as pressure for Mr Rau to go mounts.

Sources close to the Maori King, Tuheitia, say he is angry at a series of stories including one which reported that a new member of his office, Barna Heremia, had been investigated by the auditor-general.

The leaking of "tribal" information is viewed as bringing Tainui into disrepute and a source said that ultimately the King "lays the blame" at Mr Rau's door. Mr Rau refused to comment yesterday as did Mr Morgan.

However, the chief executive is expected to face a board meeting at Tainui's Endowed College provisionally set down for Friday where Mr Morgan will confront him with evidence which includes an affidavit from Maori Television journalist Potaka Maipi.

It outlines an alleged conversation Mr Maipi had with a Waikato Times reporter, Karla Akuhata, centred on who is the ultimate source of theleaks.

Tainui's 11-member board is already aligning itself along factional lines. The Herald understands that Mr Morgan has the support of six board members - enough to end Mr Rau's official role with the tribe.

One of those board members is Lady Raiha Mahuta, who is also the King's representative on Te Arataura. Although she is very ill, she is expected to attend the meeting.

The King's office staff, including Mr Heremia, will also attend and speak. At the weekend he publicly slammed Mr Rau's performance as chief executive at this year's last poukai, a hui which the King uses to keep in touch with grassroots Kingitanga supporters.

Tribal members will be feeling a sense of deja vu, as Mr Morgan and Mr Rau have long been rivals. Last year Mr Morgan led an unsuccessful restructuring bid which would have canned Mr Rau's position.

It will be a busy week for the tribe as it is due to sign its Waikato River settlement tomorrow.