The Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust has offered $10,000 to Donna Grant and her family as a gesture of support.
The Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, following the discovery of nearly $6 million in overpayments relating to a tourism course provided which Donna Grant was an administrator for. She has since stood down.
It is widely known that Mrs Grant has dedicated many years promoting Māori performing arts on a national and international level.
The Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust organises the Te Arawa Kapa Haka regional competitions and represents the Te Arawa haka groups on the Matatini board.
In a recent meeting held by the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust, which is made up of representatives of the haka groups in the Te Arawa confederation, it was agreed that a gift of $10,000 be offered to Donna and her family.
Her husband, Anaru Grant, is the current chairperson of the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust but Te Kāea has been told by Rangitihi Pene, Matatini delegate for Te Arawa, that Mr Grant removed himself from the meeting when the issue about giving money to his family was being discussed and decided upon.
Minister of Māori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell says, “The decisions made by that group is solely their prerogative, it falls into their hands the last word regarding the funds that they get and spend.”
Te Kāea tried contacting Mrs Grant but she has not returned any calls, and has remained silent since the SFO investigation started. Minister Flavell says nothing is out of place from what he can see in regards to the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust.
$10,000 has been offered to Mrs Grant and her family in a gesture of support. However, Mrs Grant and her family have yet to accept this offer.