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The Serious Fraud Office has confirmed it is investigating the chairman of a Taranaki iwi over a "substantial amount of money".
John Hooker, the chairman of Ngaruahine Iwi Authority, is being looked into by the SFO over a transaction involving Aotearoa Marae in Okaiawa, South Taranaki, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
Aotearoa Marae is a significant landmark in Taranaki, one of only two with a fully carved wharenui (meeting house), which was completed in 2005 at a cost of almost $600,000.
The newspaper said the investigation was believed to involve almost $550,000 granted by the Lotteries Commission intended for the substantial redevelopment of a wharekai (dining and kitchen house).
The investigation started in February when the Maori Land Court referred the issue to the Department of Internal Affairs after marae elders raised concerns.
The case was then passed on to the SFO because of the amount of money involved.
Serious Fraud Office chief executive Grant Liddell confirmed Mr Hooker had been under investigation by his office since July, when the matter was handed over by Internal Affairs because of the "substantial amount of money involved".
Mr Liddell said the investigation would take several months.
"But that doesn't mean any particular outcome will follow."
The iwi authority has 18 members who represent the nine hapu (subtribes) that make up Ngaruahine.
Mr Hooker was unavailable to comment.
- NZPA
