Self-proclaimed 'Maori Govt' asks motel owners for rent

"Prime minister" of the Maori Govt of Aotearoa, Sue Nikora, and security force member Elijah Matenga's. Picture / Alan Gibson

A group calling itself the Maori Government of Aotearoa will continue asking Gisborne moteliers for rent despite charges being laid against its "prime minister" yesterday.

Sue Nikora appears in Gisborne District Court on Friday after members of her sovereignty group visited motels in uniforms labelled "Maori police" and asked for money.

Mrs Nikora said that although she had been charged with being party to impersonating a police officer, it would not stop the group's activities.

"We haven't committed a crime," she said.

Mrs Nikora said the uniformed members of the Maori Government's "security and protection force" were acting on a directive from its 21-strong "caucus".

"We decided that we were going to collect rents on our lands," she said.

The moteliers were presented with a notice signed by Mrs Nikora declaring that all land, fisheries and other resources should be returned to the Maori Government "to be administered on behalf of hapu and whanau owner kin".

The notice outlined rent charges and said home and business owners would be visited three times. "After that, eviction orders shall be promulgated," it said.

Mrs Nikora denied her group was using intimidation tactics, saying rent would not be taken from anyone who did not want to pay.

"No person is going to be forced to do something that's against their will," she said.

Elijah Matenga is one of the group who has been calling on moteliers.

The 32-year-old said others were planning the same action in different towns and cities. "This is nationwide."

Mr Matenga said he acted to reclaim his Maori sovereignty.

Police said anyone approached by the group should contact them.

"Inquiries indicate that the intention of the group was based on a fraudulent scam rather than an intention to express their sovereignty," Gisborne area commander Inspector Waata Shepherd said.

He said enquiries were continuing relating to three individuals.

Stephen Priestley at Gisborne Motel said yesterday he had not had any more visits since Friday, when two men in uniforms labelled "Maori Police" came into his motel.

Another motelier, who did not want to be named, said he was glad to hear police had charged Mrs Nikora.

He had contacted police after the same two men paid him a visit on Friday.

He said they had been polite and softly spoken, but the notice they handed over was intimidating.

Api Mahuika, chairman of East Coast iwi Ngati Porou, declined to comment until he had a chance to talk personally to Mrs Nikora.

But Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon said several local Maori leaders had called him to say they did not support Mrs Nikora's actions.

Mr Foon said he was also relieved police had acted.