March 02, 2014
Ngati Hine votes to boycott Tuhoronuku
Te Runanga o Ngati Hine has voted to oppose completely any attempt to negotiate a settlement to Ngapuhi claims through the Tuhoronuku model favoured by the Government.
Chairperson Waihoroi Shortland says Saturday’s annual general meeting of the 40,000 strong hapu was unanimous in agreeing to boycott any action that may be misconstrued as supporting Tuhoronuku, including standing for election on it.
Tuhoronuku was created as a negotiating vehicle by Te Runanga o Ngapuhi, but as a condition of it receiving the mandate it is required to formally separate from the runanga, run fresh elections, and increase the number of hapu representatives.
Mr Shortland says Ngati Hine is opposed not just to the process but to the notion of a one size fits all settlement for Ngapuhi, which has at least five distinct communities of interest.
"The Minister of Treaty Settlements said at Waitangi this year ‘I am about justice, I am about durability.’ This approach will neither be just nor will it be durable," he says.
He expects other Ngapuhi hapu to join the walk-out in the coming weeks.
Tuhoronuku is holding an information hui in Kaikohe tonight and in Waimamaku and Matauri Bay tomorrow.
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