Summarised by Centrist
A review into Whānau Ora’s $155m taxpayer-funded programme, overseen by Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere, found no direct misuse of funds but raised fresh questions over what counts as public money.
The review examined Te Pou Matakana, the Whānau Ora commissioning agency led by Tamihere, which used interest from term deposits to pay for a campaign urging Māori to join the Māori roll. Officials said the campaign could be “arguably” classed as civic engagement, but also ruled the charity was “not entitled” to invest Whānau Ora money in that way.
Te Puni Kōkiri chief executive Dave Samuels confirmed “the allegations as put were not upheld,” including claims that funds were used for the Māori roll campaign or channelled to the Moana Pasifika rugby franchise. But he conceded that whether interest earned on government deposits counts as taxpayer money was unresolved, and referred the question to the Public Service Commission.
Samuels said the Electoral Commission would also need to decide whether Tamihere’s dual role as Te Pāti Māori president created a conflict of interest. He confirmed there was no evidence Whānau Ora money went to Moana Pasifika, but has sought further detail from Pasifika Futures over related-party loans.
“The allegations were serious, and that’s why a serious review was needed,” Samuels said. “But importantly, there is no evidence that any misuse of Whānau Ora funds as alleged has been found.”
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