Sonny Tau temporarily cuts ties with Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāpuhi

Sonny Tau is temporarily cutting all his ties with Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāpuhi. The embattled leader is taking a twelve week leave of absence as rūnanga chair and board trustee, citing personal reasons. He'll also step away from all his rūnanga representative roles, including his spot on Tūhoronuku. Acting chair Carol Dodd says its business as usual for the rūnanga. Meanwhile, Mr Tau continues to face charges of killing and unlawfully taking kererū/kukupā from Southland in June.