Tainui rule pushes Morgan out

By JON STOKES

Wrangling in Tainui's tribal executive will claim another victim when former co-chairman Tuku Morgan resigns.

The ex-MP's resignation will be the second for the tribe this month.

Former Maori Affairs Minister Koro Wetere stood down after learning that a drink-driving conviction three years ago made him ineligible to represent the tribe.

Tainui's constitution bans anyone with a conviction for any criminal offence punishable by jail from being a member of its parliament, Te Kauhanganui, and executive, Tekaumaarua.

Scrutiny of Dr Wetere and Mr Morgan's eligibility resurfaced at an executive meeting two weeks ago after a letter from law firm Till, Henderson, King, acting on behalf of anonymous tribal members, raised doubts over an earlier finding.

Mr Morgan said yesterday that while he believed his departure had been caused by political manipulation from some board members, "the rules are the rules" and he would be resigning from the executive today.

But he questioned the fairness of a constitution that set higher standards than those of Parliament.

"Our highest governing body has members who have multiple drink- driving convictions - all sorts of charges."

He said his arrest followed a 1983 Treaty of Waitangi protest.

"When you fight for Maori issues, you expect to get some support. That's the ironic thing. I was protesting for the rights of our people."

It ends a brief but meteoric stint for the former New Zealand First MP who, six months after being elected to Tekaumaarua in February last year, successfully moved to oust chairman Kingi Porima.

He was elected soon after as co-chairman with Haydn Solomon.

Almost a year to the day later, the two were dumped and Mr Porima was re-elected.

The eligibility of Mr Morgan and Dr Wetere was questioned in July last year after then-executive member Peter Tuteao admitted having criminal convictions.

Mr Tuteao was removed from the board, but legal advice at the time cleared Mr Morgan and Dr Wetere.

Mr Morgan's departure reduces the board to nine members - it was originally 12 - and this could change, as doubts remain over the eligibility of Mr Solomon.

This month it was reported that he was dumped as the representative for Horahora Marae, near Rangiriri, at a special meeting.

His removal would mean he could not stay on the tribe's executive.

Mr Morgan, who is standing for the Waitakere City Council, said his resignation might be a blessing in disguise, as it would give him more time to focus on his election campaign.