Secret Brennan ouster plan

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 1

Secret Brennan ouster plan

By

JANE ENGLAND,

Maori affairs reporter

Plans are still afoot to expel Mr Hori Brennan from the Nga Hau E Wha National Marae, in Christchurch, in spite of the suspended secretary’s refusal to leave. The chairman of the marae’s board ’ of trustees and upoko runanga (spokesman) for Maori people in Christchurch, Mr Waka Stirling, said yesterday that the board still hoped to persuade Mr Brennan, to give up his post peacefully. “We are working towards that goat We are still aiming to get him right out,” Mr Stirling said. The board members would not elaborate on what means they would use for

fear of jeopardising their plans. Problems concerning the administration of the marae have been growing since August 22 when members of the board, accompanied by police, tried to take control of the marae by changing locks. The attempt failed when Mr Brennan and four of his sons were arrested after a clash with the police. The marae’s Access training programmes were shifted last month and a special meeting was held at the Rehua marae. Mr Brennan walked out of that meeting and was later officially suspended when a new marae executive was

elected. Mr Brennan, his family, and supporters have since been living at the national marae and yesterday vowed not to give in. “No law can shift me,” Mr Brennan said. His wife, Mrs Ramari Brennan, said the marae had been stung by bad publicity in recent months. “Yet my husband has accomplished so much by establishing these beautiful buildings,” she said. “People from the bottom of the ladder — a broad crosssection of people, Maori and pakeha — have benefited greatly through the ment they gained here.” Accusations that Mr Bren-

nan, a member of the North Island Te Arawa tribe, had no tribal standing in Ngai Tahu territory had been unfair, she said.

“I married him and had his children; that surely gives him some rights. “He is supporting his family and they should respect him for that in the same way his people respect me when I am up there.” Until a few months ago Mr Brennan had been accorded that respect, she said. Now the Brennan family name had been tarnished seemingly beyond repair. “I worry for our six sons and five grandsons who have to carry the name with them,” Mrs Brennan said.