By VANESSA BIDOIS
HAMILTON - Dumped Tainui executive Greg Parker has attacked tribal leader Sir Robert Mahuta, accusing him of attempting to shift the blame for the tribe's deep financial crisis.
Mr Parker, the former head of Tainui's property development company, claimed in a statement to the Herald yesterday that Sir Robert had "lost sight of the truth" in his scramble to retain control of the tribe's multimillion-dollar asset base.
The wealthy Waikato iwi acknowledged on Monday that a series of investment blunders had led to debts of more than $30 million and a $40 million writedown.
Sir Robert has been reported as saying that lies, egos and mismanagement had forced the tribe to restructure, admitting that its own checks and balances let it down.
Sir Robert said that after negotiating the $170 million Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement with the Crown, he had stepped back to concentrate on the $15 million endowed college at Hopuhopu and became aware of the problems only about four months ago.
According to Sir Robert, Mr Parker and special projects manager Jeff Green were hauled in to explain what was going on, and after he had spoken to them their contracts were terminated.
He accused the high-paid executives of getting "carried away" with the money and power.
Mr Parker, who is taking a personal grievance claim against Tainui for failing to pay his redundancy, said he was never "hauled in" to discuss why the iwi was losing money, nor was his contract terminated.
He said Sir Robert had been aware for many years that the tribe was spending beyond its means but had ignored warnings from him (Mr Parker) and others.
Sir Robert had taken direct control of the corporate empire last February, and during the next 10 months funds were sucked from profitable subsidiaries to support the loss-making investments.
Mr Parker, the chief executive of Tainui Development Ltd for more than three years, said the company had bought more than 8000ha and made millions of dollars in profit.
He described his plans as a slow yet steady path to increasing the tribe's asset base but alleged that other individuals had speculated wildly on investments that failed.
"Our investments were not irrational but carefully considered and generally profitable. However, everyone was aware that the real power still lay with Sir Robert and that all major investments would be run past him."
Mr Parker later said he would consider suing Sir Robert if he did not retract the remarks about his performance and dismissal.
Tainui legal adviser Shane Solomon said last night that the matter was expected to go before the Employment Court and a statement would be issued today.
Mr Green said he refused to enter into a public slanging match with the Tainui hierarchy because he had too much respect for Sir Robert.
However, he said Mr Parker had done outstanding work, but some of his recommendations were "politically not acceptable."
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