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The new deputy chair of Ngapuhi claim negotiation body Tuhoronuku believes a unity of purpose is developing within the iwi as the formal talks with the crown finally get underway.
Moana Tuwhare stepped into the spot when Sam Napia became acting chair after Sonny Tau stood down because of the investigation into his alleged possession of protected wildlife.
Tuhoronuku has the mandate to negotiate for all hapu, even if they refuse to take part.
She says all views are being considered, and discussions of what a post-settlement body or bodies will look like could help clarify issues for the hold-outs.
"The development of that will help groups which fear that in a post-settlement environment they will be disempowered, to understand that is not what Tuhoronuku are trying to achieve. When you start talking about the practicalities and the nuts and bolts of settlement redress and the overlaps amongst us, it makes the conversation a lot more focused and a lot easier to get people around the table to have that sort of korero," Ms Tuwhare says.
She’s encouraged by the fact there have been 28 nominations top fill gaps in the ranks of hapu kaikorero who elect the Tuhoronuku board.
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