Tame Iti bitten by spider

Posted by karere under Maori News

Activist Tame Iti is believed to have spent time in Waikato Hospital over the past few days, and a spider bite could be to blame.

Iti is currently serving time at Waikeria Prison, south of Te Awamutu, after he was sentenced to two years’ jail in May after being convicted for his part in the 2007 Urewera raids.

This morning Iti tweeted ”I was bitten by a spider, it got infected and I had to see a doctor. I’m ok, but the bite did not give me the power to climb walls.”

The Times understands Iti has spent time in Waikato hospital this week but Corrections Department central regional manager Terry Buffery has remained tight lipped.

“Corrections is unable to comment on health issues faced by individual prisoners,” he said.
Family members also declined to comment.

Iti and co-defendant Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara were denied bail in August while they await the outcome of their appeal against convictions on firearms charges.

The appeal was heard in Wellington but the decision was reserved.

Last month Iti tweeted that he had ”changed jobs” at Waikeria.

”Now working with the Tractor gang out on the farm. Walking around outside the compound my feet in the free dirt,” he wrote.

Iti’s twitter account states that all tweet’s are being relayed via phone to his whanau who are maintaining his twitter account while he serves his sentence.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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