Rickards misses out on top Tainui job

Clint Rickards. Photo / Dean Purcell

Clint Rickards has missed out on one of Tainui's top jobs to former public servant Parekawhia McLean.

The Herald understands of Tainui's executive board, six voted for Ms McLean, four for Mr Rickards, and one abstained.

The board is yet to make an offical announcement.

Last night, Tainui board members could not decide between Mr Rickards - a former Assistant Police Commissioner who was accused of raping Louise Nicholas but acquitted - or Mr McLean for the job of leading the tribe's administrative arm

Both candidates presented yesterday to Te Arataura, the tribe's executive board.

The race was thought to be so close that board members called for a 24-hour grace period to go through supporting information, a source said.

Tainui people have largely forgiven Mr Rickards, who was acquitted of rape after allegations by Louise Nicholas.

"I believe Tainui, they're no different from other iwi," a source said. "Raruraru [problems with Mr Rickards] outside of the tribe is for the public but within the tribe there is support."

Ms Nicholas is angry that he's has been considered.

She's voiced her discontent in the past about Mr Rickards becoming a lawyer and working for the Waipareira Trust under John Tamihere.

The tribe has assets worth more than $500 million. Tainui Group Holdings are responsible for growing that asset.

While the new CEO won't have a say in how those assets are grown, they will be charged with running tribal programs out of Hopuhopu and helping to implement Te Arataura's vision.

Ms McLean is well known in Wellington Government circles while Mr Rickards has been a Tainui parliamentary member for two years.

The job opened up this year after the tribe's former high flier Hemi Rau was fired for breaching media rules and leaking information to the press.