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A far north treaty negotiator says it’s up to Ngapuhi to decide if Sonny Tau can still state it's case effectively.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson last week declared Mr Tau’s time in the sun over, in the wake of his conviction for killing five kukupa, and urged the iwi to promote its younger stars into the lead roles.
Haami Piripi, who was part of the team that negotiated a settlement for Te Rarawa, says it was inappropriate for Mr Finlayson to say who should be on the other team.
He says the crown has often had to deal with negotiators it doesn’t want.
"It’s jousting on Chris Finlayson’s part but for every joust you can expect one back. There may come a day Chris Finlayson is sitting across the table from Sonny Tau negotiating a very important plank of the Ngapuhi settlement. Those are the times that things like these will count," Mr Piripi says.
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