May 18, 2017
Blocks to settlement frustrate Ngapuhi
A Ngapuhi kaumatua living in Christchurch says frustration is growing with the slow pace towards settlement.
The negotiating body Tuhoronuku has baulked at handing over its mandate to a new body incorporating its main critics because it says the voice of kaumatua and tribe members living outside the north will be ignored.
Ministers are still considering the amendments it has proposed to the new Maranga Mai mandate structure.
Henare Edwards, who has lived in Otautahi for 47 years, says people in the city are now talking about withdrawing support from Tuhoronuku.
"It has been quite drawn out and we are certainly looking at how can we sped up this process, what are the blocks in place and we need to remove those blocks so we can progress our settlement," he says.
Tuhoronuku chair Hone Sadler says his organisation is keen to make progress, but not to the detriment of large parts of the tribe.
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