Te Puea Marae’s board of trustees have decided that Hurimoana Dennis will remain as chair.
At a monthly meeting held at the marae last night, Mr Dennis offered to stand down from the position, but the board unanimously voted that he continue in the role, which he accepted.
Marae spokesperson Anthony Ruakere said, “Huri’s leadership was valuable to the marae as a whole, which was exemplified through the Manaaki Tangata programme.”
Mr Dennis told Te Kāea that he is humbled by the support he has received from the trustees, and acknowledged their decision.
Dennis told the board fourteen months ago that he was under investigation by police for allegedly locking a teenage boy in an Auckland police station cell, in an attempt to end a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
Dennis will soon be charged for allegedly kidnapping the 17-year old teenager, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
Ruakere says the board will continue business as usual until the charges have been dealt with.