UPDATE. We are not under investigation by the Charities Commission or SFO. With the former a warning notice has been notified, we are in discussions and are contesting the warning notice. Nothing has been probed or investigated and Ms Weight from the Commission has knowingly misled the press. With the latest confirmation coming from the Serious Fraud Office, I hope the mainstream media show some balance and coverage of the latest developments.

John Tamihere, CEO Te Whānau o Waipareira

From: Horiana Irwin-Easthope<horiana@whaialegal.co.nz>
Sent: Friday, 30 September 2022 10:47 AM
To: John Tamihere <John.Tamihere@waiwhanau.com>; secretary@maoriparty.org.nz; normanandassociateslimited@gmail.com; Che’s Channel
<maoripartypresident@gmail.com>
Cc: ‘Che Wilson’ <chewilson.ohakune@gmail.com>; rose.waetford@gmail.com
Subject: FW: Maori Party – SFO enquiry
Importance: HighTénã koutou,
I ngã ahuatanga o te wâ nei, kei te mihi atu ki a koutou me o koutou whänau whanui.
Please see the email below. Given the recent reporting, with one article quoting a representative from the SFO who had confirmed to the N Herald that the SFO
would not be investigating the complaint referred by the police about the Mäori Party and the previous secretary (Rose Waeford), we followed up with the SFO for an
explanation. We received the email below this morning confirming the SFO would not be investigating the Mäori Party (and the secretary given the complaint had
implications for both the Party and the previous secretary; and we have noted to the SFO previously that we act for both parties).
I have spoken with Richard Fowler KC this morning who confirmed that, given the SFO will not be prosecuting, this is the end of this matter.
This is great news for you all. Please let me know if there are any further questions / if you would like to discuss.
Aku mihi nui.
Horiana
Horiana Irwin-Easthope
Tumuaki I Director
WHAIALEGAL
Naâti Porou (Te Whanau a Putaanga), Naâti Kahungunu, Rakaipaaka
P +64 21 931 932 E horiana@whaialegal.co.nz W www.whaialegal.co.nz

9 September 2022

Raymond Hall
Chairperson
Te Whānau O Waipareira Trust (the Trust) Parent of the Te Whānau O Waipareira Group PO Box 21081
Henderson
Tāmaki Makaurau, 0650

By email to: Tima@grovedarlow.co.nz

Tēnā koe e te Rangatira, e Raymond Hall

Thank you for the letters of 3 May 2021 and 4 August 2021 in response to our warning notice dated 12 November 2020 concerning the Trust’s financial support for its Chief Executive’s Auckland Mayoralty campaign.

First, I must apologise for the delay in this response. This process was impacted by the COVID- 19 situation, and the related restrictions on meetings and travel, and impacts on staff health. I sincerely regret the delay in responding.

You will recall that the Trust requested a meeting with us to discuss our warning notice. I am writing to seek that meeting so that we can listen to the Trust’s response to the warning notice. I have also taken the opportunity to briefly discuss this matter with the Trust’s legal counsel, Tim Allan of Grove Darlow & Partners.

Background
I provide the following timeline by way of background on this matter:

In December 2019, Te Tari Taiwhenua/Internal Affairs (Charities Services) initiated an inquiry into the Trust in relation to media articles and a complaint about the Trust making campaign donations to the Chief Executive’s bid for the Auckland Mayoralty.
On 16 January 2020, Charities Services issued a duty to assist notice on the Trust, under section 51 of the Charities Act 2005 (the Act), to supply us with information and documentation about this matter.
On 27 May 2020, the Trust responded with the information requested.
On 12 November 2020, Charities Services issued a warning notice, under section 54 of the Act, to the Trust on the grounds that we considered the Trust had engaged in conduct that constituted serious wrongdoing under the Act.
On 25 November 2020, representatives of the Trust and Charities Services met and discussed the notice and the accompanying Investigation Report.

On 3 May 2021, the Trust wrote to Charities Services responding to the 12 November 2020 notice, providing new and different information, contesting aspects of the notice, and requesting a meeting with Charities Services to discuss the notice and the required actions therein.
On 22 July 2021, Charities Services updated the Trust’s legal counsel that it was considering the 3 May 2021 letter and would seek to arrange meeting requested by the Trust.

On 4 August 2021, the Trust’s legal counsel provided further information relating to the impact of the Trust’s support for the Mayoralty bid on its charitable purpose.

Next steps

We welcome your request for a meeting with representatives of the Trust to listen to the Trust’s response to the warning notice. I hope to arrange such a meeting at the Trust’s convenience and will liaise with the Trust’s counsel, if that is appropriate.

In the meantime, if you wish to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me on my details listed below. Please note that Dave Sayers is not currently in his Investigations Manager role owing to personal circumstances.

Nāku noa, nā

Stephen Reilly

Kaiwhakahaere Waeture | Manager Regulatory

Ngā Rātonga Kaupapa Atawhai | Charities Services

Direct Dial: +64 4 495 9303 | Extn: 5303 | Mobile: 027 297 3884