Te Arawa trust board at loggerheads

Rotorua's Te Arawa Maori Trust Board has been split by an internal squabble after a tentative deal with the Government over its claims to 14 lakes in the central North Island.

Board chairman Anaru Rangiheuea has temporarily stepped down from his position and his daughter, Tania Rangiheuea, is seeking legal advice after what she claims is an attempt by the board to oust her as a negotiator.

In December, the board agreed in principle to a Government offer to settle Te Arawa's long-standing claim to the 14 lakebeds.

The historic deal, which includes $10 million compensation and various acknowledgments by the Government of treaty breaches, is expected to be ratified by the tribe before the end of the year.

Ms Rangiheuea said she was told the board no longer wanted her services from April 1. She said the decision appeared to follow her questioning of the costs of the settlement process.