Tamihere voted on to board of trust at rowdy meeting

John Tamihere

John Tamihere has renewed his links with the West Auckland Waipareira Trust, winning a seat on its board at elections last night.

The annual meeting became heated at times as the outspoken former MP demanded greater transparency and accountability from the board.

His criticisms followed financial results showing a loss of $1.9 million for the financial year.

Trust chief executive Reg Ratahi labelled Mr Tamihere's return as an act of revenge.

"I've heard from associates [that] he's coming back for utu, and that's not the right reason to go back on any board," Mr Ratahi said.

The fallout between Mr Tamihere and the trust - the cost of which was about $500,000 - had an impact on the poor financial result, Mr Ratahi said. And the loss of tertiary funding had impacted severely on the trust.

About 200 Waipareira whanau members packed the Hoani Waititi Marae waiting more than six hours for the final outcome, which came well after midnight.

In an impassioned debate, Waipareira whanau members forced the board to back down on a constitutional amendment passed last month aimed at preventing Mr Tamihere's re-election.

The amendment moved to ban anyone from standing for the board if they had brought the trust into disrepute.

In a further blow to the board, Mr Tamihere successfully demanded the overturn of a board ruling that had reduced board numbers from 15 to 10.

The backdown meant seven new members were elected last night, including Mr Tamihere.

The outcome is expected to severely factionalise the trust.

One board member, who did not want to be named, said the vote and outcome were illegal and likely to be overturned.

Mr Tamihere attacked the existing 10-member board and Mr Ratahi over the sale of $9 million worth of trust shares and assets.

"Why have there been all these sales?

"What's happened to the money?"

He said concern at the direction of the trust had been the catalyst for his decision to return.

He was its chief executive from 1991 to 1999.