New Zealand

Sonny Tau's leave from Trust extended

19:42 pm on 27 August 2016

Sonny Tau's leave from his role as chairman of the Ngāpuhi Trust has been extended by another six months, as he serves a community detention sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Sonny Tau outside court Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley

Tau has been on leave since October 2015, while charges against him of hunting kererū, and then lying about it, have gone through the courts.

He was fined and sentenced to three months' community detention and 100 hours' community work earlier this month.

Te Rūnunga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi said the leave extension would allow him to complete his community detention and provide for a smooth transition for incoming chief executive Tony Dowling, who starts in November.

The board would then reassess Tau's role.