Sacking of Rau not personal - Morgan

Tainui leader Tuku Morgan says the sacking of a former tribal executive wasn't personal - but he still couldn't resist having a dig at him.

Hemi Rau was fired in December after an investigation into embarrassing stories leaked to the media about staff who worked in the personal office of King Tuheitia.. He lost an Employment Relations Authority case on Wednesday, which rejected his personal grievance claim for unjustified dismissal.

Yesterday, Mr Morgan, who is chairman of the tribe's executive board Te Arataura, said a search for Mr Rau's replacement had begun.

"This is not about recriminations nor criticism of my colleagues although there are a few people with egg on their faces. This is about now taking the opportunity and finding someone with greater capacity with fantastic skills and let's get on and do the job."

Mr Rau said he would appeal the decision to the Employment Court and would not respond to Mr Morgan's comments.

Mr Morgan told the Herald it would challenge the appeal "in any forum" and Waikato Tainui would "absolutely" be seeking substantial legal costs from Mr Rau.

Mr Morgan, who had an at times testy relationship with Mr Rau, said the board's decision to sack him was not a personal vendetta. "This is not about Hemi Rau and Tuku Morgan ... it's about the health and future of Waikato/Tainui," he said.

"It was always about inappropriate behaviour that brought disrepute to this tribe, it was always about protecting our credibility and the mana of the iwi."

He said the board felt vindicated by the decision to dismiss Mr Rau, saying it had completed a robust but fair process.

But the case against Mr Rau has been a strain on many within the iwi, particularly with it being played out within the court, and there may be more fallout to come. Mr Morgan has made no secret of his desire to investigate board member Sonny Wilson's role, if any, in media leaks.

If that investigation finds evidence of leaks it must be brought before the tribe's parliament Te Kauhanganui, where members will vote on whether he stays or goes.

Mr Wilson declined to comment yesterday. However, Te Arataura meets today, meaning it could be an uncomfortable meeting for him as he waits to learn his fate.

The tribe's parliament meets tomorrow and sources said the meeting could be emotional as Mr Rau still had support.

Mr Morgan, who has had calls for his board to have fresh elections and faces a possible vote of no confidence, said he wasn't worried about any further fallout.