August 13, 2015
Formation of Ngapuhi council of elders.
A tribal leader from the north Kingi Taurua is forming a Council of Elders to represent the views of Ngapuhi.
Kingi Taurua says the group of up to 50 kaumatua are concerned that those currently negotiating treaty settlements with the Crown don't represent the original sovereign owners of the land.
"The people of each hapu who are descendants from those who signed the 1835 Declaraton of Independence and Te Tiriti O Waitangi will be on this group and hopefully we can come to some sort of understanding and come to terms with that" he says.
Kingi Taurua says there is an element of fear from those currently negotiating with the Crown about the ongoing meetings to form the Council of Elders.
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