17 Oct 2011

Court action drags on, four years after Te Urewera raids

6:22 am on 17 October 2011

Four years since the 2007 police raids in Te Urewera, the matter is still dragging on in court.

The police operation took place on 15 October 2007.

Last month, 13 of 17 people arrested had their charges dropped.

The remaining four are due to appear in court next year.

Tuhoe spokesperson Paki Nikora, who has been involved in putting together a complaint against the police over their conduct, is hoping for a good outcome for those still facing charges.

He says the iwi still hasn't received a report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority and wonders if that's because the police have something to hide.

Police Minister Judith Collins has said that in the interest of justice, the two independent reports on the raids won't be made public until the court cases are resolved.