Maori Party co-leaders at odds over Awatere Huata case

Donna Awatere Huata

The Maori Party's two co-leaders are at odds over Donna Awatere Huata.

One, Dr Pita Sharples, yesterday distanced himself from comments made by the other, Tariana Turia, that Awatere Huata had done no wrong.

In an interview with Linda Clark on National Radio yesterday morning, Mrs Turia said Awatere Huata had fulfilled her contractual obligations in relation to the Pipi Foundation, which she was last week convicted of fleecing of $80,000.

She said she would not hear of anyone saying Awatere Huata had ripped off people.

"That's what you're telling me, Linda. What I'm saying to you is Donna Awatere Huata fulfilled the contract in the same way that any other consultant that gets public money fulfils it.

"She did not rip our people off and I will not have you or any other person saying that."

While Dr Sharples said at the weekend that he had concerns Awatere Huata was being treated differently from a Pakeha convicted of a similar crime, he told the Herald yesterday that his main concern was about her not being granted bail until she was sentenced.

Awatere Huata is in custody awaiting sentence after being convicted of defrauding the trust set up to help underprivileged children.

She received funding for the foundation in a deal between National and Act when she was still a member of Parliament.

The deal was that if National went into coalition with Act, Awatere Huata would receive the money.

Mrs Turia questioned why Awatere Huata had not been granted bail given that disgraced former Christian Heritage leader Graham Capill, who was convicted of sex crimes against children, initially received it.

"Is a court always right?" asked Mrs Turia.

"We've seen people go to jail for life and the courts have got it wrong.

"If it was good enough for a paedophile to get bail it was good enough for Donna Awatere Huata to get bail."

Dr Sharples said yesterday he did not defend Awatere Huata's actions.

"I do not defend the actions of Donna, nor am I critical of the legal process. I do have grave concerns with a decision to deny her bail.

"She needed time to be with her family. The judge pre-empted her sentencing by saying she is going to jail and it should start now. That was not right."

He said that like many Maori, he empathised with the anguish Awatere Huata and her family were going through.

"I feel aroha for Donna and her family. However, it does not absolve her of blame, or wrong. If she has committed a crime there are consequences to her actions."

Awatere Huata faces more headaches as the Legal Services Agency investigates the granting of legal aid to her and her husband, Wi Huata.

A tip-off alleging the couple have hidden money has led to the agency investigating their financial status and whether they should have received legal aid.