December 11, 2015
Ngatiwai Trust Board focussed on including all Ngatiwai whanau in settlement process
The Ngātiwai Trust Board’s Deed of Mandate was recognised by the Crown on the 21st of October 2015. This recognition has moved Ngātiwai Trust Board into the next phase of the process which is Terms of Negotiations with the Crown.
Haydn Edmonds, Chairman of the Ngātiwai Trust Board says “Terms of Negotiations is the next step in the Settlement journey where the Ngātiwai Trust Board and the Crown will need to agree on the ground rules for engagement when the negotiations start.”
“While it is still early days in the process this is a significant and important time in the history of Ngātiwai. We understand and recognise that there are still some members and hapū who have concerns about what the mandate means for them and we will continue to hold Hui to enable them every opportunity to engage with us in this settlement process.”
“Although some members and hapū have logged urgency applications with the Waitangi Tribunal we fully respect their right to do so however we hope that that we can come together as Te Iwi O Ngatiwai and work together through this Treaty Claims pathway that the Trust Board has established for our Iwi.”
“Communication with our whanau and kaumātua is critical throughout this process and we will continue to panui them directly and hold information Hui to keep them fully informed as we progress on our settlement journey.”
“The Deed of Mandate we have established provides for Kaumātua, Hapū and Marae representatives to advise the board at the governance level. A research group for claimants, two new positions on the Treaty Claims Committee and negotiators are yet to be appointed to carry out the work at an operational level”.
“I look forward to working with all Ngātiwai whānui on this journey.”
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com