Regional economic development minister Shane Jones is calling for a restructure at fraud-hit Waitangi National Trust before he hands over the cash for a new museum.
Earlier this week a former financial manager, Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru, 30, was charged by the Serious Fraud Office with defrauding the trust that looks after the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to the tune of $1.2 million. He has yet to enter a plea.
The charge comes as the trust consults on plans for a new museum honouring the 28th Māori Battalion.
The cost and design have yet to be finalised but in June this year Jones said the Government would provide the funding from its Provincial Growth Fund. The museum was part of the coalition deal between New Zealand First and Labour and is due to open in February 2020.
However, in the wake of the fraud case, Jones said he wanted to see the trust a restructured before he handed over the pūtea (money).