An argument over whether a member of a Maori land business can attend meetings by phone has been settled.
A judge is backing Erueti Koopu, who tried to withdraw his resignation as chair of Mangaroa and Other Blocks Incorporated, over the phone.
Under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act, he had to attend a meeting to retract his resignation.
But Mr Koopu could not attend in person, so he instead phoned fellow committee members to retract his resignation. However, committee refused to allow Mr Koopu to take part over the phone.
The Maori Land Court said under the Act, meetings could be held by telephone, and Mr Koopu was entitled attend the hui by phone.
The court left it up to the committee to decide whether Mr Koopu could be reinstated.
