Tamihere preparing to storm Waipareira Trust's barricades

Former Labour MP John Tamihere is seeking to renew his link with the troubled Waipareira Trust by standing for its board, despite a move to ban him from joining its executive.

The Weekend Herald understands Mr Tamihere will stand for election to the 10-member board at the annual general meeting this month.

But in a bid to prevent Mr Tamihere from standing, the board is moving to amend the trust's constitution, banning anyone from standing if they have brought the trust into disrepute.

The trust's constitution requires a third of the board to stand down every year. Three members are set to stand down at the November 23 meeting.

The board's deputy chairwoman, Naida Glavish, said that Mr Tamihere was not eligible to stand for the trust because of the constitutional amendment.

Mr Tamihere could not be reached for comment. However, a close associate, who did not want to be named, confirmed he was seeking election.

The source said the constitutional amendment was illegal and predicted fireworks at the coming meeting.

"If they want to amend the constitution they must give notice and the agenda 21 days before the meeting, as per the constitution. This has not been done.

Also questioned was the definition of bringing the trust into disrepute.

"There are a number of members on that board and in positions of management in the trust who would be excluded by that definition."

Mr Tamihere, who lost his Tamaki Makaurau electorate to the Maori Party's Pita Sharples at this year's election, is credited with turning around the trust as its chief executive from 1991 to 1999, before he entered Parliament.

In that time the trust went from near-broke to a respected social service provider that is now worth more than $12 million.

Along the way the Waitangi Tribunal recognised Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust as an iwi. Mr Tamihere was forced to resign from the Cabinet last year as several inquiries were undertaken into his time as chief executive.

He was cleared of any wrong-doing, but not returned to the Cabinet.

Mr Tamihere was involved in a very public and acrimonious stoush with members of the trust and senior management.