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October 29, 2015
Ngapuhi reaffirms independence declaration
Waatea Team
Posted On October 29, 2015
Ngapuhi elders want a direct meeting with the Crown at Waitangi to find a new negotiating model.
Rihari Dargaville of the Kahui Taumata o Waitangi says more than 700 people were at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi yesterday to mark the 180th anniversary of the signing of the He Wakaputanga, the Declaration of Independence.
He says they were unanimous in their condemnation of the way the Crown imposed policies on Ngapuhi, and resolved that the mana of Ngapuhi would not bend to the will of the Crown.
Mr Dargaville says the Waitangi Tribunal finding that Ngapuhi did not cede sovereignty when its rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi means ministers can no longer say government is sovereign when dealing with Ngapuhi.
He says direct negotiations with Tuhoronuku haven't worked out the way the crown wanted, so the government is now preparing to throw more money at the opposing Te Kotahitanga group.
That will just cause more division among Ngapuhi.
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