default-output-block.skip-main
National | Ngāpuhi

Raniera Tau appears in Invercargill District Court

Today, Ngāpuhi Leader Raniera Tau stood before the Invercargill District Court on two charges.

Tau pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of kererū, however he has pled not guilty to hunting or killing protected wildlife.

Tau appeared calm and collected in court today.

He was accompanied by a small group of Ngāpuhi supporters from Invercargill. Tau had this to say outside the court.

“I just wanted to say that I understand that you are interested in the case, but like good reporters they would understand that to comment further on things that are currently before the court is inappropriate.  That's all I've got to say.”

The case was brought forward by The Department of Conservation after Tau was found in possession of a number of Kukupa in June at the Invercargill Airport.

Tau has been remanded at large until September 28th for a case review hearing.

Sonny Tau has been nominated for the Tūhoronuku Chair position but is still considering whether to accept the invitation.

Tūhoronuku is the mandated entity to settle the Ngāpuhi treaty claims.

The nominations for the chair position will be voted at a special board meeting on September 11.