Summarised by Centrist
Political commentator Bryce Edwards writes about Te Pati Māori president John Tamihere: “The former Labour Cabinet minister has created what many call a South Auckland ‘fiefdom’ reliant on government contracts.”
Tamihere’s Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency (WOCA), “is a social services clearinghouse, funding welfare and health providers, especially in Auckland,” writes Edwards.
This year’s Budget allocated $182m. This includes at least $6m in “management fees”, he notes.
Sir Mason Durie, John Tamihere’s father-in-law, serves as patron, while Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, who was eighth on last year’s party list, is the chair. Directors include Takutai Tarsh Kemp and Lady Tureiti Moxon.
The Waipareira Trust, led by the Tamihere family, holds significant ownership, with Tamihere as CEO and his wife, Awerangi Tamihere, as COO. Additional owners of WOCA include the National Urban Māori Authority and the Manukau Urban Māori Authority, now managed by Willie Jackson’s wife, Tania Rangiheuea.
These entities, alongside the Waipareira Trust, own several radio stations and other investments.
According to Edwards: “Therefore, there are various concerns about how much these organisations overlap and exist as another wing of Te Pati Māori, albeit funded by the state.”
However, the Department of Internal Affairs is investigating the charity status of Tamihere’s Waipareira Trust, with potential deregistration and severe financial repercussions looming.
Complaints also arise about Manurewa Marae’s involvement in local elections.
