Police investigating university's Maori students association

Otago police are investigating the accounting practices of the University of Otago's Maori students association.

The matter was brought to police attention by members of the Otago University Students Association (OUSA).

"We are looking at the issue of discrepancies in regard to the accounting practices of the Te Roopu Maori group," Senior Sergeant Gavin Briggs of North Dunedin police told the Otago Daily Times.

Police were waiting to see whether members of the group's executive returned for the new academic year, but it was not known if this would happen.

OUSA president Paul Chong said the Maori students association was experiencing some "serious internal issues".

He said in the meantime OUSA was employing a Maori liaison officer so Maori students did not miss out during orientation week.

Attempts to contact the association's most recent president or members of last year's executive were unsuccessful.

Relations between OUSA and Te Roopu Maori have been poor in recent years, the newspaper said.

- NZPA