David White

Roger Pikia is under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into a controversial iwi leader whose financial dealings have raised alarm within his tribe.

The SFO confirmed it is investigating "matters related to Roger Pikia" but would not comment further.

Pikia, a business consultant and advisor to the Maori King, could not be reached for comment.

David White

Roger Pikia, right, and Tukoroirangi Morgan at a Waikato River Authority meeting.

Te Arawa elder Maanu Paul, co-chair of the New Zealand Maori Council, called on Pikia to stand down from the various boards he sits on until the investigation is complete.

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"I would expect that to happen automatically - it's an issue of trust - having the confidence to trust a representative to look after your assets."

Last year it was revealed that $775,000 belonging to the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust (Tarit), which Pikia chairs, had been invested in Ka Ora Ltd, a health food company of which he is a director and previous shareholder.

And it was revealed that the small Tahu Whaoa iwi, which Pikia also chairs, had covered the $2.6m debts of a failing Tongan forestry company and had agreed to pay a further $3.5m in return for control of the firm.

Stuff reported in November that Pikia used a Tarit credit card while in Tonga, running up bills at a top restaurant and a "ladies and gentlemen" club.

In 2014, he travelled to Hawaii with the Maori King's son, Whatumoana Paki, and sent an $18,000 invoice for the trip to Tarit.

A group of Te Arawa elders took their concerns to the Government and KPMG began a forensic audit.

The audit, which Pikia claims has cleared him, is almost complete. However, it's understood there are concerns that it didn't go far enough.

There have been moves to have Pikia stood down from Tarit but he retains the support of the majority of trustees.

Deputy chair Eru George said he was aware of the SFO investigation but until the board met to discuss the issue he had no comment.

Pikia is also deputy chair of the Waikato River Authority, set up to distribute $250m of Treaty money to clean up the Waikato River.

Co-chair John Luxton said he had not been made aware of the SFO investigation.

"We haven't had a meeting but we certainly will discuss it. We'd probably stand him down until such time as it came clear."

Pikia is also a board member of the Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa Trust, which manages Te Arawa's Treaty settlement money.

A spokesperson said they had only just been made aware of the SFO investigation and were taking legal advice on what, if any, action needed to be taken.

Invoices and bank statements show that Pikia used a Tarit credit card while in Tonga in 2015, racking up $1500 at the Seaview restaurant and the Ladies and Gentlemen Club in Nuku'alofa.

Upon his return, Pikia stayed for a week at the Novotel Hotel at Auckland airport, notching up $1600 for accommodation and $435 for food, according to the invoice, which was sent to Tarit for payment.

Tarit's staff are understood to have questioned the expenditure as the organisation had no business in Tonga.

Pikia said at the time there was a mistake by his travel agent but no further explanation was forthcoming. 

 - Sunday Star Times