Maori school protesters face new legal threat

The Government is taking legal action to remove protesters from a Northland primary school.

The unregistered Orauta School, near Moerewa, is occupied by more than 25 pupils, staff and trustees of a Maori incorporation.

The Attorney-General, through the Crown Solicitor in Whangarei, is now seeking vacant possession of the land on which the 95-year-old school stands. The case is to be called in the Kaikohe District Court tomorrow.

Ken Brown, chairman of the school's board of trustees, would not say yesterday whether he or his group would appear in court.

This action is separate from a prosecution started last month under the Education Act against Mr Brown, Teena Brown and three parents.

The Browns are accused of operating an illegal school, while the parents are accused of failing to ensure their children are enrolled at a registered school. That case is set down to be called again next Monday after none of the defendants showed up last time, claiming immunity from prosecution.

Mr Brown denied a report yesterday that the Orauta School group was connected with a Maori sovereignty group occupying a Huntly campground or with "Maori police" allegedly claiming money from Gisborne motels.

"We've got nothing to do with that group."

But Mr Brown said the incorporation overseeing Orauta School was a member of Nga Tikanga Law Society, which has been linked to those other actions, and which the Government is looking at shutting down through legislation.