Paying $20,000 marae funds across to her brother Kereama Te Awa for his private use was a breach of trust. Maori Land Court ordered repayment within a month. Failing that, sister Georgina Te Awa and two other Waiotea marae trustees complicit in the wrongfully payment are liable to make good the loss.
Waiotea marae sits on the northern reaches of Kaipara Harbour in Northland, with beach access for vehicles. The sole building on site is seldom used, needing repairs.
Maori Land Court was told some money has been collected over time from various sources with long-term plans to upgrade the building.
Marae trustee Mikaera Miru objected to fellow trustees arranging a $20,000 withdrawal from the marae bank account, funds drawn down with a cheque made out to cash.
This money wound up in the hands of hapu member Kereama Te Awa, a non-trustee, variously described as payment for his firewood business and to pay off a loan on his excavator.
In the Maori Land Court, Judge Williams dismissed explanations that marae funds could be used at any time to help hapu members in need of cash.
Marae funds can never be used for personal benefit, he ruled.
Funds are held in trust for marae purposes.
Trustees Georgina Te Awa, Nathan Tana and Joseph Miru were held personally liable to make good any losses should recipient Kereama Te Awa not repay the money.
Judge Williams took steps to remove all three as marae trustees.
He was critical of both their breach of trust and the abuse they directed at the court.
Mikaera Miru told the court payment has gone to whanau having gang affiliations. There is a serious risk the money will not be recovered, he said.
Miru v. Te Awa – Maori Land Court (9.03.26)
26.095