“The Parliamentary inquiry into Waipareira Trust can now proceed,” said ACT Leader Hon Richard Prebble.

“The findings of the Serious Fraud Office report released today, means that the allegations of misspending by the Trust is an issue of governance rather than an issue for the Courts.

“Fresh allegations of extraordinary spending by the Trust are continuing to be made.

“Indeed today ACT received a letter from Mr Dennis Hansen, a former trustee, and one of the people defamed by Mr Tamihere under Parliamentary Privilege as a drug addict, thief and a liar. The letter stated that the Trust, at Mr Tamihere’s request, wrote off a mortgage for $100,000 owed by Mr Tamihere.

“Such an action would not be illegal, but it is very unusual, as the money certainly did originally come from the taxpayer. It is another issue for MP’s to consider when examining whether the Waipareira Trust has in fact been delivering services to Maori in a cost effective way.

“As Mr Hansen is one of the witnesses the Maori Affairs Select Committee is going to call, it should be a very interesting inquiry,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

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