Credentials stack up: Flavell

Maori Part co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Co-leader backs Awanuiarangi, despite inquiry

Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he's confident in the credentials of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi despite a damning report into a Maori tourism qualification.

The Whakatane-based institution was investigated by the Tertiary Education Commission and the NZ Qualifications Authority for its Hei Manaaki - Maori Tourism Certificate, which was delivered by course administrators and Rotorua's Donna and Anaru Grant. The Serious Fraud Office is now investigating.

An independent report by forensic accounting firm Deloitte found Awanuiarangi was "overfunded" for the programme as students spent an average of 183 hours with tutors but the wananga was given taxpayer funding for 388 hours. About 100 Warriors players and staff "completed" the 18-week course in one day last year and it was delivered to 83 volunteers at last year's Te Matatini in Rotorua.

Mr Grant is the chairman of Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust, the hosting committee of Te Matatini. He did not return media inquiries yesterday and Mrs Grant's voice message referred calls to her lawyer.

Awanuiarangi has since agreed to pay a $5.9 million settlement to the Tertiary Education Commission and will undergo its own internal and external investigation.

Mr Flavell was the chief executive of Awanuiarangi in 1999. He said one course was not a reflection of the quality of education it provided.

"I am confident that their [Awanuiarangi's] credentials will stack up in this one-off case, they have produced and continue to produce a high level of degrees and credentials for thousands of people," he said.

"First thing, they obviously got it wrong and they have done the right thing by paying the money back. Once the investigation is completed they will be in a far better position on knowing what happened.

"They provide a culturally appropriate place to learn and contribute to second chance learners achieving their goal, whether they be Maori or otherwise. From time to time, certain courses may come to the attention of the Tertiary Education Commission and need to be investigated."

It was earlier reported the Warriors took the course last year on the recommendation of Mrs Grant - billionaire Sir Own Glenn's representative on the Warriors board. She was also the director of the wananga's National Institute of Performing Arts but has since resigned. Mrs Grant has referred all media inquiries to her lawyer Richard McIlraith, of law firm Russell McVeagh, who said she had offered to assist with any potential SFO inquiry.

"She is absolutely confident she has done nothing wrong and is happy to co-operate," Mr McIlraith told media.

Chief executive of Awanuiarangi Distinguished Professor Graham Smith said the situation was unacceptable and brought "immense disappointment to me and my team".

"What I would like to say is that we are satisfied that the corrective steps ... that have now been implemented will ensure that this situation does not arise again."