Tainui chairwoman faces harassment allegations

Tuku Morgan. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Waikato Tainui parliamentary chairwoman Tania Martin is facing allegations of harassment by a top tribal executive who says her workplace has become unsafe.

In November Parekawhia McLean was appointed chief executive of Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust, the tribe's administrative arm.

However, in April she contacted the tribe's executive board's lawyer, John Haigh, QC, and in a letter to him said Ms Martin had questioned her conduct as CEO, especially as it relates to an internal governance review.

The review is Ms Martin's idea and has been supported by the parliament but it is understood it has not been progressing as fast as she wanted, leading to tension between the pair.

Documents obtained by the Herald show Ms Martin has tried three times to get sign-off on the review from Ms McLean. Ms McLean's position is that the tribe's executive board, Te Arataura, has to authorise expenditure and appropriate terms for the audit - and that Ms Martin cannot act unilaterally.

In a widely circulated tribal email Ms Martin alleged Ms McLean had shown a "trend of insubordination ... since 01 December 2010", and described a situation where she felt a "serious lack of support from the CEO".

Ms Martin said in the email she intended to call for a review of the CEO's employment agreement and job description.

Ms Martin's public airing of problems was the last straw for Ms McLean, who wrote to Mr Haigh: "These communications and this harassment is taking its toll on me, and my health, and is undermining my employment. I understand that I am entitled to a safe working environment, and this does not presently exist.

"I respectfully request that my employer take decisive action to bring this harassment and these communications to an end. I ask that a letter is sent to Tania requesting this, and also requiring any communications from her to me to go through Tuku [Morgan] as the chair of Te Arataura."

Ms Martin did not respond to an interview request and Ms McLean is on holiday.