Ngâ Tauira Mâori

I received the following e-mail (names redacted by me) a couple of months ago:

This report summarises a series of serious allegations and concerns raised regarding conduct associated with the University of Auckland Māori Students Association (Ngā Tauira Māori) and activities connected to the “KatchaMāori” event held for first-year tauira.

The matters outlined below involve allegations of physical assault, coercive behaviour, excessive alcohol consumption, intimidation, and unsafe initiation-style activities. Multiple executive members have reportedly indicated their intention to resign, including both co-treasurers, one co-president, and four additional executive members, due to concerns regarding student safety, organisational culture, and governance failures. Further reports state the organisation is likely to disband for good, after being around for 40 odd years and to wrap up shop.

Key Allegations and Concerns

1. Alleged Assaults and Physical Harm

There are allegations that several attendees, including younger and first-year tauira, were subjected to unsafe and harmful treatment during organised activities. Claims include:

• Individuals being physically restrained or held against their will.
• Participants allegedly being tied up near a campfire and to trees.
• Alleged assaults involving beatings and physical intimidation.
• Claims that younger members were held down while alcohol was forcibly administered.
• Reports of objects, including alcohol cans, being thrown at participants, causing distress and possible injury.

One allegation specifically concerns [redacted by DPF], who was reportedly assaulted and restrained during the event.

2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Coercion

Numerous accounts describe a culture of excessive drinking associated with the event and broader association activities. Allegations include:

• First-year tauira being pressured or intimidated into consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol.
• Students becoming blackout intoxicated during initiation-style activities.
• Drinking games and coercive group dynamics facilitated by senior members (“tuakana”).
• Intimidating conduct involving yelling, forced participation, and humiliation.

One attendee described being blindfolded and led to another location while intoxicated, hearing screaming from other participants, and later discovering individuals had alcohol thrown over them and cans thrown at their heads while senior members laughed.

3. Initiation-Style and “Gang-Like” Behaviour

Concerns have been raised that aspects of the event resembled hazing or initiation practices rather than culturally safe whakawhanaungatanga activities. Allegations include:

• Senior members abruptly taking control of activities and aggressively directing participants.
• Participants being separated into groups and subjected to intimidating treatment.
• A culture of fear and compliance among younger tauira.
• Behaviour described by witnesses as “gang-like,” involving domination, coercion, and humiliation.
• Reports of activities including members urinating in gumboots and forcing new students to drink it in order for them to be initiated as members.

4. Longstanding Cultural and Governance Concerns

Concerns have also been raised regarding a broader culture within the association over several years. Allegations include:

• Alcohol misuse allegedly being normalised within association events over the past 3–5 years.
• Claims that alcohol consumption occurred within marae and protected cultural spaces.
• A lack of accountability or intervention from leadership structures despite ongoing concerns.
• Questions regarding oversight, duty of care, and governance practices surrounding student wellbeing and safety.

5. Funding and Institutional Oversight Concerns

It has been alleged that funding connected to the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori was used in support of activities where harmful behaviour occurred. These claims raise significant concerns regarding:

• Oversight and monitoring of funded student activities.
• Risk management and student safety procedures.
• Institutional accountability where allegations of harm arise.

At this stage, these allegations remain claims raised by individuals and would require formal investigation and verification. However there have been claims that the Office itself has contacted its counsel and is reporting this case. One member of the association [name redacted by DPF] has associations and links with the Black Power gang “Mangu Kaha” and some threats that he would bring the gang around to do “baby bashing” to toughen people up – which means that they would bash first year students to give them more of an experience into what its like to be a maori student at the University.

DPF: As these are serious allegations I did an OIA to Auckland University in May. Their response is here. There is nothing much in the response because of a huge number of redactions. The redactions were partially based on the following grounds:

s 6(c) to avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law including the investigation of offences.  

I have no first hand knowledge of any of these allegations. This is why I have redacted names. But the fact the OIA was redacted on the grounds of allowing the investigation of offences suggests to me there is at least some smoke, if not a fire.