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Ngapuhi chair Raniera Tau says the Waitangi Tribunal doesn't have a decent grasp of what is happening in Northland.
The tribunal has agreed to an urgent hearing on a claim that the way the crown funded and supported the Ngapuhi Runanga-backed Tuhoronuku to get the mandate to negotiate the tribe's treaty settlement.
The claimants says the decision undermined Ngapuhi leadership and would cause significant and irreversible prejudice.
Mr Tau says a fresh election for an expanded Tuhoronuku had addresed the concerns of many hapu, and the opposition is now driven by Ngati Hine's desire to be seen as an iwi in its own right.
" There was this conglomerate as they call it of Te Kotahitanga O Nga Hapu O Ngapuhi, which is a misnomer because alot of hapu were never ever part of that movement and now its come down and isolated out Ngati Hine where all the rest of them have turned back to the iwi and joined Tuhoronuku " he says.
Raniera Tau says the Waitangi Tribunal hearing will slow down the process of starting negotiations, but Tuhoronuku will do what it can.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH RANIERA TAU CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjIwOTU=
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