Elders back Sonny Tau to keep his runanga role

Sonny Tau

Almost 100 kaumatua and kuia have turned out in support of Sonny Tau continuing as chairman of the Ngapuhi Runanga after it was announced he would face charges of hunting/killing kukupa and possessing the protected bird.

At a hui called at a day's notice and held on Friday at the Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi office in Kaikohe, Mr Tau said he would step aside as chairman of the runanga if it was the wish of his elders. However the runanga said overwhelming support from those there meant Mr Tau would keep his leadership role.

On Friday it was also announced Mr Tau would appear in the Invercargill District Court on Friday, July 24 facing charges of hunting/killing kukupa and possessing the protected birds. Mr Tau was allegedly found with kukupa in his possession at Invercargill Airport on June 16.

A statement by Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi said with almost 100 kaumatua and kuia attending Friday's event, the hui was one of "the largest gathering of Ngapuhi elders".

"The hui ended with all kaumatua and kuia giving their full support to [Mr Tau] continuing in the role as chairman of Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi after charges had been laid earlier that day."

The furore around the alleged offences led to Mr Tau stepping down as chairman of Tuhoronuku, the body mandated to negotiate the Ngapuhi Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Crown, but critics said Mr Tau should also step down from other leadership roles, including Ngapuhi Runanga chairman.

"An individual who cannot respect rahui and the kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of another iwi is not a leader that should be empowered to lead," Ngati Hine chairman Waihoroi Shortland said last week.

At Friday's hui the kaumatua and kuia acknowledged the "strong leadership" Mr Tau had shown in the 15 years he had led the Ngapuhi Runanga. A spokesman said they also reminded him there was still work to do.

Maximum penalties for the unlawful killing or taking of protected species are a fine of $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years.