By RUTH BERRY
The Maori Council wants the Government to review its decision to slash the fees of forestry trust head Sir Graham Latimer, saying its actions were heavy-handed and inappropriate.
Deputy chairman Jim Nicholls said yesterday that he would write to Finance Minister Michael Cullen to ask him to sit down with the council and discuss the issue.
It was revealed yesterday that Dr Cullen had capped fees for the Crown Forestry Rental Trust chairman at $25,000 a year.
Sir Graham, who is also the chairman of the Maori Council, has received more than $400,000 in fees over the past four years.
The forestry trust is sitting on more than $350 million in rentals accrued from forests which may be returned to iwi in Treaty of Waitangi settlements. It helps them prepare and negotiate their claims.
It has six trustees, three appointed by the Government and three by the Maori Council and the Federation of Maori Authorities.
Dr Cullen has the authority to set the fees, which until now have never been capped.
But Mr Nicholls said Dr Cullen should, out of courtesy, have discussed the matter with the council first.
"I spoke with Sir Graham today and he was agitated that this had occurred without any discussion with the Maori appointees."
Sir Graham's brief was much wider than seemed to be acknowledged by the Government, he said. His job went well beyond simply attending board meetings in Wellington. He was a pivotal player in the resolution of treaty settlements and travelled throughout the country talking to iwi.
"It's ludicrous to suggest that $25,000 would cover the time he is putting into the job."
Herald feature: Maori issues
Related links
Latimer pay cut 'heavy-handed'
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