A Tauranga Moana Iwi leader is calling on National Kohanga Reo Trust directors to be more transparent to clear up accusations of misspending for the sake and future of all kohanga whanau.

'I'm putting my full support behind the kaupapa of kohanga reo and our whanau in Mataatua and Tauranga Moana, who've been wanting some answers for a while now,” says Tauranga Moana Iwi Leaders' Group chairman Awanui Black.

Tauranga Moana Iwi Leaders' Group chairman Awanui Black.

'I'm disappointed at the way my people have been treated – they shouldn't have to beg for answers or run to the media to put the pressure on the powers that be to get answers.”

The comments come after Education Minister Hekia Parata last week referred claims of misspending against Te Patanga Ohanga to the Serious Fraud Office, hours after an Ernst and Young report cleared the national trust of misusing public money.

TV3 reports TPO, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust and registered charity, is also being investigated by Internal Affairs.

The report was sparked by a Native Affairs investigation alleging TPO general manager Lynda Tawhiwhirangi used her work credit card to pay for a number of items including a wedding dress, an $800 Trelise Cooper dress and a $1000 koha for a tangi she did not attend.

But the report into the Kohanga Reo National Trust did not investigate the claims because it was outside the terms of reference.

Associate Minister of Education Dr Pita Sharples met with the Trust Board to discuss allegations on October 15, 2013, and Awanui says the case is dragging on too long.

"Don't get me wrong I am one hundred percent behind the kohanga reo kaupapa, and especially its founders and their inspirational leadership and efforts, I'm just voicing the concerns of the people.

"It is time for those at the table of the national trust and its subsidiary company to front up now with some answers because only then can we determine a new pathway forward for our children, who are the key to the survival of our precious language.”

Te Kohanga Reo National Trust and its subsidiary Te Patanga Ohanga say they will cooperate fully with the SFO investigation into their operations.

Maori King Tuheitia is also calling a hui at Turangawaewae Marae next month to discuss possible changes to the direction and organisation of the trust, including the makeup and membership of the board – something Awanui fully endorses.

'I think it is a positive move to have that hui. But that said, it would be good if there are any matters that haven't come to light yet that the commercial arm of the trust if they were in a position to be able to clarify and put some solutions in place that would be even better.

'So when we get to the hui over at Turangawaewae Marae next month we don't want to focus on what's already happened and any other issues but the future and how we can make it better.”