Ngai Tahu - a house divided against itself

By JON STOKES

In the turbulent waters of iwi politics, one waka has consistently managed to surge ahead, seemingly unhindered by the drag of leadership battles. South Island iwi Ngai Tahu, under the considered leadership of chairman Mark Solomon, is regularly touted as a role model of financial and tribal governance.

This reputation will be underlined later this year when the tribe is expected to announce a $26 million profit for the 2003-04 financial year, and a further jump in its asset value to around $440 million.

This is impressive growth for the tribe since its historic $170 million Treaty settlement, which Solomon signed days after he was elected Kaiwhakahaere (chairman) in September, 1998.

But not impressive enough to stop some board members from moving to oust him. Last month, he narrowly survived a motion of no confidence, called by Ngai Tuahuriri representative, Te Maire Tau, at the meeting of the tribe's 18-member board, Te Rununga o Ngai Tahu.

The motion failed by one vote, with deputy chairman Edward Ellison, who has since resigned from the post, abstaining.

Solomon was shocked by the motion, called a day after he returned from a nine-day holiday in the Cook Islands. But some sources the Weekend Herald spoke to were just as shocked Solomon managed to keep his job.

They say veteran radio broadcaster and board member James Daniels, at times a vocal critic of Solomon, was expected to support removal and his vote would have done it.

Daniels is annoyed by the rumour. "I've heard that. I did not change my vote at all. Te Maire [Tau] moved the motion. I didn't say that I would support it.

"I said on three occasions before that meeting: 'Have you spoken to Mark?' 'No' was the answer every time. That is what they should have done first."

Daniels says while he has concerns with Solomon's leadership, he does not accept some board members' reasons for wanting him out.

"Some of the calls were rather rich and unfair. For instance, he was blamed for losing the fisheries allocation. They were collective decisions of the runanga, and he just happens to be the mouthpiece."

Ngai Tahu lost its fight against the Crown in the High Court last year over the division of fisheries assets. The tribe was unhappy with the allocation of deepwater fishing quota.

Under the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission's deep sea quota model, 75 per cent will be allocated on a population basis and 25 per cent on a coastline basis, instead of the 50-50 split Ngai Tahu favours.

Another board member, who does not want to be named, supports Daniels' sentiments about Solomon.

"I've had some issues with him - it is a matter of style. He's a bit maa te waa - he will sit back and let the table make its decisions. I think he should be guiding the table towards decisions.

"He is a nice man. He is sensible, he's sober, he doesn't drink, he doesn't gamble. I would like to see him be a bit harder.

"He is the sort of guy who likes to be liked. In that role it's not a matter of being liked. It's a matter of doing the right thing."

While many senior tribal members agree with the assessment of Solomon as "too nice a guy", one senior kaumatua, who also did not want to be named, said Solomon was a "street fighter from way back. He fights as rough as anyone."

As the tribe's standing orders don't allow defeated motions to be tabled again for six months, Solomon has time to prepare for the next bout. The tribe's rules allow standing orders to be changed by an ordinary resolution, but the tribal source does not believe there is support for this change. Instead, he hopes the six months will give Solomon time to improve his position.

"The first thing I said to him after the vote was 'you better get bloody good, bloody quick'. He's doing a chairing course, so he chairs the meeting in a firm manner. That is how you get better decisions."

This weekend, when the board meets to discuss the annual business plan, the leadership issue is likely to surface in a report clarifying leadership roles, including refining and defining the responsibilities of the chief executive and the chairman.

Chief executive Tahu Potiki reports to the board, not to the chairman. In January the board resolved to change this, but it needs Potiki's agreement to avoid breaching his employment contract.

Former Ngai Tahu tribal leader Sir Tipene O'Regan does not believe the divisions can be resolved quickly.

"Positions have become more entrenched since the event, very much due to the amount of attention it has generated."

But he urges caution. "The world is not going to come to an end because there is a stalemate in this matter. The big thing is to make sure the affairs of the tribe are not neglected while that is happening."

But several senior tribal members who spoke to the Weekend Herald want the matter resolved sooner rather than later.

The tribal elder who pointed to Solomon's fighting qualities says Solomon's fragile support at the table makes his job impossible. He says three names have been suggested as possible successors.

* The mover of the anti-Solomon motion, Tau, an often outspoken academic and son of respected tribal kaumatua Henare Rakiihia Tau, who was a key figure in the tribe's 1998 Treaty settlement.

Tau says he has no interest in leading the tribe but he will heed the wishes of the people if he is asked.

* Former deputy Ellison, seen in a similar mould to Solomon, with a "nice guy" style, and described as "sick of being the bridesmaid".

* Chief executive Tahu Potiki, already a regular public face for the tribe.

Potiki, an imposing figure, is seen as ambitious, street smart, and politically savvy.

However, one senior tribal member doubts that Potiki could stomach the pay cut, estimated to be between $50,000 and $90,000.

Sir Tipene dismisses suggestions he is a consideration."Tahu Potiki does not have a vote at the table. He's first got to become a political leader. He is employed as a chief executive."

He also scoffs at talk of a growing rift between Solomon and Potiki, a close associate of Tau, but admits "there is a significant problem of the definition of the role of chairman and chief executive. There is a structural question and codes that need to be worked through."

Sir Tipene says there is growing concern among the 33,000 iwi beneficiaries about the overall board performance.

"We are the ultimate shareholders, and there are aspects in the management of Ngai Tahu's affairs that have caused us a lot of concern."

He says they include concerns over board accountability and frustration that the tribe's commercial gains are not returning tangible benefits to grass-roots iwi members.

"What seriously does concern the electorate is the lack of any strategic vision coming from the centre."

Back in his office Solomon seems to have regained his composure after what he described as surprise.

"I was gutted. I was out of the country when all the lobbying was being done. I walked into the meeting green - then bang."

The 49-year-old former foundry worker understands he has a lot of work to do.

"There have been some saying I need to become firmer as a leader. There are some saying that I am too pushy.

"There are 18 people at the table with a lot of ranges of opinion.

"It is my job to allow everyone at the table to have their say. It's the collective decision, not the individual decision.

"It is my job to see that everyone from the Papatipu Runanga, the representatives, have a fair, an equal say."

And Solomon is cynical about board members who he feels betrayed his trust.

"Te Maire Tau claims he doesn't want my job. He's always stated his role as a representative was a temporary role. He's an academic - that is his field. I always thought our relationship was pretty good."

Of Ellison he says: "I'm a person who always believes in loyalty. When his role came up for re-election, I seconded the nomination."

Solomon refuses to comment on his relationship with chief executive Potiki. What he will say is that he is prepared to work to a solution.

"There is always compromise in anything you do.

"They've asked for it to be tighter. It will be tighter, but I fail yet to see what I have done wrong. Until they can put it on the table and show me I won't know."

He admits he has a tough job.

"That is life, that is politics ... you have 120 people in Parliament, there are different people of all types. It's no different to the tribal structure."

As the interview draws to an end Solomon reaches into his jacket pocket for his roll-your-own cigarette, a thrifty action that sums up Ngai Tahu's humble leader. "I have survived. Life goes on."

What if it happens again, and his opponents are successful? "It still will mean I am the representative for Kaikoura. Life goes on, not much point worrying about it."

And to suggestions he's too nice a guy for the job?

"I could always go out and try and be an arsehole, but it's not in my nature."