Tuku Morgan: The chairman, politician, broadcaster and respected leader
Thursday, 1 February 2024
With a career of many strands - from te iwi Māori to TV and the Beehive - Tukoroirangi Morgan is a face most are used to seeing at front of the pack.
But his leadership of Waikato-Tainui’s powerful executive arm, Te Arataura, is under threat - he didn’t get the numbers at a recent board hui to be endorsed to continue as chairperson.
Morgan was the only one nominated, and it’s understood there’s another chance coming up for him to take back the role.
But who is Tuku Morgan? The Waikato leader hails from Māori and Rarotongan roots (Ngaati Makirangi, Ngaati Mahuta, Ngaati Maahanga). He has connections to Waahi Paa in Huntly and Turangawaewae Marae, and has done a bit of everything, from politics to TV and even managing an art gallery.
In Māoridom Morgan has been regarded as a steadfast and at times controversial figure, rarely kneeling to any challenge or battle. But when getting decisions across the line, the former MP has a reputation for being a skilled negotiator.
During the Raupatu settlement of 1995, where Waikato-Tainui established a landmark settlement and received a formal Crown apology from Queen Elizabeth ll, Morgan was one of the figures at the signing table.
Morgan’s public-facing career arguably began during the early 80s when he hit the TV screens as a reporter for Television New Zealand and TV3.
He then went onto delve into politics as an MP for New Zealand First until it is understood he and leader Winston Peters had a falling out and Morgan went on to join Mauri Pacific before being voted out of office.
Morgan was the Māori Party's co-chair of the Hauraki-Waikato electorate and in 2016 was elected president of the Māori Party.
In 1997 during his political career Morgan’s reputation took a hit amidst the infamous scandal where he was caught spending $4000 of Aotearoa Television funds during a shopping spree which included an $89 pair of underpants.
He resigned from Aotearoa Television Network, where he was a director.
Another challenging period came in 2018 when Morgan penned a blunt three-page letter to Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII calling him a 'puppet king' after Tūheitia had publicly criticised his former advisor at an Iwi Chairs Forum event.
Morgan was elected chair of Te Arataura, the executive arm of Aotearoa’s second wealthiest iwi, Waikato-Tainui from 2006-2012 during which he was instrumental in the Waikato River settlement claim in 2009 with both the Labour and National governments alongside the late Lady Raiha Mahuta.
Morgan re-joined the board in March 2021 following his re-appointment as a Te Arataura representative and took over from former chair Linda Te Aho in 2022.
However, it was recently revealed that Morgan hadn’t received enough backing to be reappointed as board chair, something which would be revisited next week.
Morgan has been both a respected and unapologetic speaker both on the paepae (marae panel) and in the boardroom. Some in the Waikato leader’s circle believe Morgan, a “visionary within Te Ao Māori” will prevail given his resilience and commitment to the Kiingitanga.
In recent weeks Morgan has been active in protests against the newly elected coalition Government’s policies and efforts to revisit te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi. Morgan led a convoy during nation-wide Māori action day protests.
Morgan resides in West Auckland with his wife Caroline. His brother in law is former National MP Tau Henare. He continues to keep close ties with his whānau and children who are leaders of their own in the kapa haka, performing arts and broadcasting realms.