Ngapuhi Runanga boss takes 'leave' from roles

Sonny Tau

Sonny Tau has taken a "leave of absences" from all his roles at the Ngapuhi Runanga - including chairman of the group.

Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi said that as of Monday Mr Tau would be taking three months' leave from his position as chairman and trustee of the Runanga because of "personal reasons".

Mr Tau did not return the Advocate's request for comment on the leave.

The decision means during his time away Mr Tau will also be absent from his only position on Tuhoronuku - Ngapuhi's mandated Treaty negotiating authority - as Runanga representative.

In June, he stepped down as Tuhoronuku chairman after allegations he was found with kukupa at Invercargill Airport and last month he made a last-minute decision to pull out of the board's chair elections.

Mr Tau was charged with the killing/hunting of kukupa and the possession of birds in July. He pleaded guilty to possessing five kukupa but defended the hunting charge. The matter has been remanded for another case-review hearing in the Invercargill District Court on November 16.

The Advocate asked the Ngapuhi Runanga if the charges against Mr Tau influenced his decision to take leave or if Mr Tau's leave of absence was taken after a letter from the Minister of Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson sent to Tuhoronuku chairman Hone Sadler, which criticised Mr Tau's "improper accessing" of the Runanga's database and suggested a change in membership of Tuhoronuku. The Runanga was also asked if Mr Tau's leave would be paid but did not respond by edition time yesterday.

While Mr Tau is on leave, the deputy chairwoman of the Runanga, Carol Dodd, will be acting chair. The board will decide at its next meeting who the Runanga's Tuhoronuku representative will be and confirm who will become acting deputy chairperson.