2 Aug 2018

Trust accepts court ruling over wrongful sacking

9:09 pm on 2 August 2018

The Kōhanga Reo National Trust accepts a High Court ruling that it was wrong to sack a trustee that blew the whistle on it.

Toni Waho.

Toni Waho alerted the Education Minister of allegations of wrongdoing in Kōhanga Reo National Trust. Photo: RNZ / Leigh Mclachlan

Toni Waho was removed from the board in 2014 after he alerted the Education Minister of allegations of wrongdoing in the Trust.

In her ruling, Justice Clark said he acted with integrity and was unlawfully dismissed.

National Trust chairman Matua Hook said they accept the court judgement that it was wrong to dismiss Mr Waho.

"I hope all parties can now put the matter behind them and move forward," he said.

"For us as trustees our focus must be to support the kaupapa of te reo Māori and Kōhanga Reo whānau."

They agreed to pay the outstanding honorarium of $100,000 to Mr Waho.

Since the case was initiated, the Trust has a new board and chief executive.

Mr Hook said the current trustees hold no ill-will toward Mr Waho.

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