April 07, 2016
Urban purge upsets Ngapuhi leader
A report aimed at finding a new way forward for Ngapuhi’s treaty settlement has got the thumb down from one of the key leaders.
Maranga Mai was written by an engagement group drawn from both Tuhoronuku, which holds the mandate to negotiate for the tribe, and Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu o Ngapuhi, which wants subtribes to have a greater say.
Te Kotahitanga appears to have got the upper hand, with the report recommending hapu set up a new body to oversee negotiations.
Each hapu would be required to pick representatives according to their individual tikanga, document their interests and aspirations, and coordinate activities through regional forums.
Tuhoronuku chair Hone Sadler says the Maranga Mai proposal is unworkable, but it allows the crown to say it has responded to a Waitangi Tribunal report criticising the mandating process.
He’s not happy the proposed structure would do away with seats around the table for urban representatives, kuia and kaumatua representatives as well as the seat for the Ngapuhi Runanga.
The Tuhoronuku board meets next week to consider the report, which is open for submissions until the end of the month.
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