Second whistleblower raises concerns over disability provider

Mihingarangi Forbes. Photo/Michael Craig

A second whistleblower has spoken to Maori Television's Native Affairs programme as part of its investigation into goings on at disability service provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau.

The trust, which provides kaupapa Maori services to about 250 disabled people and receives $30 million in taxpayer funding, is currently being audited by the Ministry of Health after questions were raised about its spending.

Midlands manager Tony Tietie previously told Native Affairs about alleged mis-spending reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In one instance, Tietie said when the trust changed its car repair service to one in Hamilton called Art Automotive, the bill went from $76,000 to $170,000 in a year.

Tietie was sacked from his job after raising concern's with the trust's chief executive.

Native Affairs presenter Mihingarangi Forbes said they had spoken to a second whistleblower who had raised similar concerns and also lost her job.

She said they had now interviewed four such people who had been "exited" by the trust.

* Where and when: Maori Television, Monday 8.30pm.