14 Feb 2012

Discussions on hold as Te Arataura chair not re-elected

8:56 am on 14 February 2012

High-powered discussions in Waikato-Tainui are on hold following tribal elections that saw Tukoroirangi Morgan fail to be re-elected as chair of the executive.

The elections were held in Hopuhopu near Ngaruawahia at the weekend.

Nine of 10 members were voted on to the tribal executive, Te Arataura, during the Triennial Special General Meeting but Te Arataura chair Mr Morgan was not among them.

An iwi spokesperson says, for now, Te Arataura is in limbo.

He says high-powered meetings such as treaty negotiations and meetings with Crown representatives are on hold until a new chair is elected.

In the meantime, he says Te Arataura is in the hands of a representative appointed by the Maori King.

The representative will be charged with convening an election - probably within a fortnight.

Mr Morgan plans to filed legal action challenging Sunday's election results.