3 Dec 2013

Kohanga report due within weeks

7:58 pm on 3 December 2013

The Government should have a better idea of potential credit card misspending at the commercial arm of the Kohanga Reo National Trust early next year.

A draft of the independent report into the trust's spending of taxpayers' money is expected within weeks.

An inquiry was ordered after Maori Television programme Native Affairs, which investigated the trust's commercial arm, Te Pataka Ohanga, reported in October it had seen statements showing business credit cards were used to buy dresses, fuel and overnight accommodation - purchases it said were unrelated to the trust's work.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the draft will be given to the trust to consider before she receives it, which is expected in the first part of next year.