Wetere forced to resign

By JON STOKES

A three-year-old drink-driving conviction has forced former Maori Affairs Minister Koro Wetere to resign from Tainui's executive.

The former Labour MP is the latest casualty of friction on the Tainui board.

The eligibility of former co-chairman Tuku Morgan is also in doubt.

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

Mr Morgan, the former NZ First MP who, with Hadyn Solomon, was dumped as co-chairman last month, may also have to resign.

He was charged with obstructing and hindering police in October 1983, a charge that carries a maximum three-month prison term.

The eligibility of Mr Morgan and Dr Wetere was first questioned at a board meeting in July last year following the admission of then executive member Peter Tuteao that he had criminal convictions.

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

But the issue resurfaced at an executive meeting last week after a letter tabled from law firm Till, Henderson, King, acting on behalf of anonymous tribal members, raised doubts over the earlier finding.

Tainui chairman Kingi Porima said he had sought legal advice from Auckland commercial barrister Robert Fardell.

"The opinion we got back was that Koro Wetere's drink-driving conviction made him ineligible to sit on the board."

Mr Porima said Mr Morgan's eligibility was yet to be confirmed.

"I am expecting to hear back from the lawyer next week."

Dr Wetere could not be reached for comment.

It is understood he tendered his resignation with his Te Tokonganuianoha Marae in Te Kuiti on Thursday.

Dr Wetere was convicted in February 2001 of drink-driving, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of three months' jail. He was disqualified from driving for six months and fined $400 plus costs.

His resignation may soon be followed by that of Mr Solomon following reports this week that he was dumped as the representative for Horahora Marae, near Rangiriri, at a special meeting last Sunday.

His removal would mean he can no longer remain on the tribe's executive.

Mr Porima said he had been told of the sacking but had yet to receive formal notification. "Until I do he is still a member of the board."

New members would be sought at the next meeting of the tribe's parliament, Te Kauhunganui, to bring the numbers back up to 12.