Ousted commercial leader elected to Ngai Tahu's top table

Wally Stone

A tribal leader ousted in February from Ngai Tahu Holdings will now sit at the iwi's top decision-making table.

Wally Stone led the tribe's commercial arm for two and a half years, turning in some of its best results, including increasing value by $58 million last year.

However, he lost his job after a boardroom coup at the iwi's governing body, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu (Tront), featuring chairman Mark Solomon and executives.

A period of dirty-linen-airing followed between supporters of Mr Stone and Mr Solomon which included scathing emails, claims of hacked computers and the hiring of an outside media consultant.

Last week, Mr Stone was elected unopposed as the Rapaki runanga representative to Tront, one of 18 board positions.

He said senior kaumatua and family had persuaded him to stand. "The thing is I know it's difficult for people. They think, 'If you've been treated badly, why would you go back and do it again?' But your family is your family, and if you're in a position to do something for them you should."

Asked if there was a chance that factionalism could hamstring the board during his three-year term, Mr Stone said that was an outcome no one wanted.

"As long as people park their ego at the door and remind themselves that they are representing the aspirations of the people there shouldn't be a problem."

Priorities during his term would include strengthening constituent runanga which make up Tront, and providing opportunities for future tribal leaders.

The Herald requested an interview with Mr Solomon. However, in a statement he said: "Rapaki, along with other runanga, have worked through their election process. I have every confidence that Wally, along with every other representative, will be putting his best foot forward for the overall benefit of Ngai Tahu."

Mr Stone is joined by another former tribal high-flyer on the board, Tahu Potiki, a former Tront chief executive who will represent Otakou runanga. He has been known to clash with Mr Solomon in the past. Yesterday, he would not be drawn on that. Instead, he said he would focus on transparency issues.

A senior source said the tribe was sick of the intermittent blood-letting, and many were moving behind the scenes to make sure the new board functioned smoothly.

There are 18 elected board members but not all elections have started, including those for Awarua and Kaikoura runanga which Mr Solomon represents.