26 Mar 2014

Morgan's role in kohanga hui eyed

7:58 pm on 26 March 2014

Questions have been raised about whether the Maori King's Kohanga Reo Trust Board delegate, Tukoroirangi Morgan, should lead an upcoming national Maori pre-school hui.

Questions have been raised about whether the Maori King's Kohanga Reo Trust Board delegate, Tukoroirangi Morgan, should lead an upcoming national Maori pre-school hui.

Kohanga Reo National Trust HQ in Wellington.

Kohanga Reo National Trust HQ in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

The Serious Fraud Office has been called in to investigate the trust's subsidiary arm, Te Pataka Ohanga, by the government as a result of allegations of financial mismanagement.

The hui between 11 April and 13 April is being hosted by King Tuheitia at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawaahia, and is expected to result in major changes to the make up of the Kohanga Reo Trust membership.

The King's office confirms Tukoroirangi Morgan will be facilitating the three day hui.

A spokesperson says there's been questions and some concern by people about Mr Morgan's suitability for the role as a result of speculation he's a board member on Te Pataka Ohanga.

But he says that's not true and is just a red herring.

Instead, the spokesperson for the Maori King's office says Mr Morgan is the eyes and the ears of Kingi Tuheitia on the kohanga trust board.