In 1999 Mr Caccioppoli was involved in an Internet-based organisation offering degrees in New Zealand that came under scrutiny from the ministry for calling itself a university.
The same internet education provider, Cyberuni, aroused the suspicion of academic staff around the country about its courses.
Mr Caccioppoli said the venture failed because investor funding could not be raised. He said no degrees had been given out by the group.
In 2002 the two men formed the Kotahitanga Community Trust after an at times acrimonious split with the Papakura marae.
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