A marae who once was associated with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, has denied that it has not acted on allegations of fraud.

In an article published in the newspaper The Truth, an unnamed person had complained to the police that there was evidence that money had been siphoned out of Hoani Waititi Marae accounts and the Auckland Marae had not been taking any action.

Marae board chairman Waiora Arama said that he “completely rejected the claim that it did not act on allegations of fraud”.

"In September 2009 the trust board of Hoani Waititi Marae was made aware that there were serious anomalies in the marae's accounts. An initial investigation identified that one individual may be responsible", Mr. Arama said. "Since that time the trust board has engaged the services of a forensic accountant to undertake a full investigation, of which we are still in the process of completing. Last month the board also engaged with new auditors. Once all the relevant information has been gathered, the trust board will make the appropriate decisions in the best interests of the marae and the public".