November 03, 2016
Time for Maranga Mai to proceed
The co-chair of Te Kotahitanga o Nga Hapu, Ngapuhi, Pita Tipene, says it's time for his organisation and rivals Tuhoronuku to melt away and let the Maranga Mai process take their place.
Representatives from the two Ngaphui factions were supposed to meet on Tuesday to start the transition set out in Maranga Mai.
Tuhoronuku representatives refused to attend because the Office of Treaty Settlements refused to give them the same wriggle room that Te Kotahitanga has in interpreting the document.
Mr Tipene says there is no room for second thoughts.
"The Maranga Mai report, after being accepted by both Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitanga, is very prescriptive. Everything is outlined in the report and the job of the transition group is to move from Tuhoronuku as we know it to the new Maranga Mai regime with hapu firmly in control," he says.
Mr Tipene says the transition process needs to start soon so hapu can elect the representatives who will oversee the negotiations with the crown.
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