February 16, 2014
Tuhoronuku given mandate for Ngapuhi
Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu o Ngapuhi will meet today to discuss its response to the Government’s decision to push on with direct negotiations of the tribe’s claims.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced on Friday he was accepting the mandate of Tuhoronuku, a group originally set up by Te Runanga o Ngapuhi.
Before talks can start, Tuhoronuku must make some changes aimed at clearly separating itself from the runanga and allowing greater representation by hapu.
There will be fresh elections for a 22-member negotiating body, and a process set up to allow hapu to opt out.
Pita Tipene, the co-chair of Te Kotaitanga, says there are still unresolved issues.
"I won’t be going anywhere near any Tuhoronuku elections. If I've personally been opposing something that I abhor for the last four or five years it's not as if I'm suddenly going to wake up the next morning and join it. That's my position and I know it’s the position of many other people," he says..
Mr Tipene says despite reassurances from Mr Finlayson that the hearings on Te Paparahi o Te Raki claims can continue, he is concerned having parallel negotiations will undermine the Waitangi Tribunal process.
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