Tainui leader's job still on line

King Tuheitia. Photo / APN

The Waikato-Tainui leader who was the target of a botched sacking attempt by King Tuheitia is still under threat of losing her position at a January 22 meeting.

Tania Martin, chairwoman of the tribe's parliament Te Kauhanganui, was fired by King Tuheitia this month after she released a disputed report about tribal costs.

He unsuccessfully approached Ms Martin's marae to push his wishes.

King Tuheitia claimed he was using his powers as paramount chief to dismiss her and install his own representative, Greg Miller, to chair the representative body.

Embarrassingly, after a day in court, tribal officials conceded Ms Martin was still chairwoman.

In a report sent to Kauhanganui members, Ms Martin said the purpose of the January meeting called by Te Arataura, the tribe's executive board, "is to disqualify me from Te Kauhanganui".

"I welcome the January meeting with open arms. It will give me the opportunity to finally take the business affairs of Te Kauhanganui back to the House, and speak openly about the activities of Te Arataura since our general meeting in November.

"Given the adversity I've experienced over the last four weeks, I am now concerned that members of Te Kauhanganui may now live in fear. Not fear of physical danger, but fear that their decisions will not be adhered to, fear that their marae will be approached to have them removed from Te Kauhanganui [and] fear that tribal resources available to Te Arataura will be used against our marae, hapu and therefore our iwi."

Ms Martin did not directly criticise the King. Instead, she cites Tukoroirangi Morgan, who chairs Te Arataura, as a leading figure in the crisis, based on media reports that he told the King at a public meeting that he wanted Ms Martin gone.

Uncertainty over the viability of a review called for by Te Kauhanganui and related to Te Arataura's performance is also outlined in the report.

Despite Tainui's status as one of the wealthiest tribes in the country the review might not happen.

"I am unable to secure the expertise of external auditors to do this on our behalf, without an assurance that they will be paid. I do not have the funds to do this myself," said Ms Martin in the report.

The King's private secretary Rangi Wallace, who also goes by the name Rangi Whakaruru, also features in the report.

He was involved in the meeting at which the King asked Hiiona Marae to remove Ms Martin.

"The King's private secretary ... and [Greg Miller], subjected my kaumatua and our trustees to verbal comments attacking my character and credibility ... My marae was asked twice to stand me down ... and they responded both times that they supported me.

With that, he simply beckoned my marae to leave Turangawaewae House."

Tribal parliamentarians are paid a fee to attend the January meeting. Nearly, $50,000 is being spent to discuss the one resolution.