New Zealander Kupa Teao has been started as the new chief executive officer of the troubled Anindilyakwa Land Council which was under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

In a statement ALC chair Cherelle Wurrawilya said Mr Teao was to start in the role on February 16, succeeding Matthew Bonson, who stepped down in July last year.

“I have a strong cultural connection to Aotearoa (New Zealand), and to the Island of Aitutaki (Cook Islands),” Mr Teao said.

“On Groote Island, I am committed to providing effective ongoing engagement and inclusive decision making for the Anindilyakwa people.”

Ms Wurrawilya said Mr Teao had had over 30 years of leadership experience in medium to large organisations across New Zealand and Australia, and had worked with at Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation, DEMED Aboriginal Corporation, Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, and West Arnhem Regional Council, and was head of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation prior to his appointment as ALC’s CEO.

She said he had expertise in strategic direction, transformation, and managing organisational change, and was a passionate advocate for the rights and aspirations of fiirst peoples.

“We thought carefully about selecting a new CEO, and we thank the community for their patience throughout the recruitment process and Mr Trainor for stepping into the role for these past six months,” Ms Wurrawilya said.

“Now we are looking forward to having Mr Teao on board to help us realise our vision for the Anindilyakwa people.”

She said Mr Teao had relocated to Groote Eylandt with his partner to strengthen his ties with the community.

Mr Bonson suddenly resigned the role less than three months after being appointed to run the troubled organisation. He told the NT Independent he resigned on July 16 because he has an elderly mother to care for in Darwin and because his children are finishing Year 12 and starting university.

Michael Trainor was appointed as the interim CEO following Mr Bonson’s departure.

Earlier, 235 traditional owners made numerous allegations of corruption against former CEO Mark Hewitt, his wife Sophy Liu, the late ALC chair T. Wurramarrba, and others.

A 15-page document outlining these allegations, which included concerns about spending $200 million in royalty payments on questionable projects and the misuse of $10 million in stimulus funds.

Traditional owners criticised Mr Hewitt for employing individuals at the ALC without advertising positions while they were serving as directors involved with royalty distribution.

Additionally, $41 million from the Anindilyakwa Mining Trust had not been accounted for in the financial statements for 2022 and 2023.

Mr Hewitt, Mr Wurramarrba, and Ms Liu denied all allegations.

The ALC was raided by the NACC in October 2024 but it has never made public any findings.

A review commissioned by the National Indigenous Australians Agency followed a negative May 2023 audit that highlighted conflicts of interest, failures in royalty distribution, a lack of independence in the audit committee, and insufficient training and administration of land-use agreements.

The review was initiated only after questions from the NT Independent about what the agency was doing about the serious failings identified.