Under John Tamihere’s leadership, Waipareira Trust has been accused of financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and improper political involvement, including using $385,000 in interest-free loans to support Tamihere’s political campaigns. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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Briefing for 07 March 2025

John Tamihere’s defence risks credibility of kaupapa Māori governance

The Waipareira Trust, under John Tamihere’s leadership, has faced allegations of financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and improper political involvement—including $385,000 in interest-free loans to fund Tamihere’s campaigns.

His response? Cry ‘racism’.

‘Farewell and thanks for the inflation’: Adrian Orr resigns as Reserve Bank Governor

After seven years in charge, Adrian Orr has abruptly resigned as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), effective 31 March.

Orr’s tenure has been controversial with critics blaming him for fuelling inflation through ultra-loose monetary policy, then slamming on the brakes too late—leading to soaring mortgage rates and a painful recession.

ACT’s David Seymour didn’t hold back, quipping: “Farewell and thanks for the inflation.”

Richard Prebble quits Waitangi Tribunal: ‘It’s a runaway grievance machine’

Richard Prebble has resigned from the Waitangi Tribunal, calling it “a rogue entity,” and a “self-perpetuating industry of grievance,” rewriting history to suit a radical agenda.

“The Tribunal now says Māori were promised economic equality. No government anywhere has ever delivered economic equality. As we will never have it, the Tribunal has created an endless grievance that can never be met,” Prebble said.

Phil Goff sacked as UK High Commissioner after mocking Trump

Phil Goff, the former Labour leader and Auckland mayor, has been fired from his role as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the UK after publicly ridiculing Donald

Trump’s intelligence.

At a London event, Goff smugly asked:

“President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?”

The audience laughed—NZ’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters did not.

Te Pāti Māori warned by police over financial audit failures

Te Pāti Māori failed to submit its audited financial statements on time.

The party missed the July 2023 deadline, submitted an incomplete report in December, and still hasn’t produced the required audit.

The Electoral Commission referred the matter to police in October, and a formal warning was issued on 19 December.

Extending NZ’s parliamentary term won’t fix its ‘executive paradise’ problem

New Zealand’s government enjoys unchecked executive power, and extending the parliamentary term from three to four years won’t change that, argues political professor Richard Shaw.

The Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill, an ACT Party initiative with some cross-party support, would allow a prime minister to extend parliament to four years at the start of a new term.

However, this would not strengthen democracy or accountability—it would simply give governments more time in office without fixing deeper issues in governance.

Mongrel Mob rapists get discounted sentence despite brutal attack on 14-year-old girl

Two Mongrel Mob gang members, Ruaumoko Taiapa and Raniera John Daniels-Rongonui, have been sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison for the violent rape of a 14-year-old girl in a Hamilton motel.

While the Crown recommended a 10 to 11-year starting point, and despite a 15-year start point determined by Judge Thomas Ingram in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday, the rapists still received steep discounts to their sentences.