The ongoing allegations surrounding John Tamihere and the Waipareira Trust are just the latest chapter in a long, sordid story of mismanagement and self-preservation. Despite the Trust’s lofty claims to be a champion of Māori welfare, the harsh truth is that it has long been mired in scandal - and it’s only now that the cracks in the façade are beginning to show.
For years, John Tamihere has managed to spin his narrative as a man of the people, fighting for Māori rights and welfare. However, what many fail to see is that the very communities he claims to represent are the ones suffering the most. Poverty, drug abuse, and violence continue to plague “his” people, and the Trust's questionable handling of funds and resources suggests that these issues have been exacerbated by the very system that should be helping.