Tuhoronuku goes it alone to reconfirm mandate

Tuhoronuku has secured funding from the Ngapuhi Runanga for a nationwide roadshow this month to discuss its mandate to negotiate a treaty settlement for the country’s biggest tribe.

Chair Hone Sadler says by reconfirming its mandate, it hopes to be in a position to resume talks with the crown before the end of the year.

The plans reflect a growing sense of frustration at the refusal of Te Kotahitanga to meet with it after Prime Minister Bill English’s decision to suspend talks until after the election.

Mr English’s call, made over the top of his Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson, removed what was effectively a veto power given to its opponents by officials.

Mr Sadler says Tuhoronuku wants to get the process back on track after what it sees as a flawed attempt to address concerns about its mandate raised by the Waitangi tribunal.

"The tribunal didn’t say rewrite the mandate. It didn't say get rid of kaumatua and kuia representations and it didn't say to get rid of urban representation," he says.

Mr Sadler says the new claim oversight body proposed by Te Kotahitanga and crown officials in the Maranga Mai report could include more than 400 members, which would make decision-making impossible.

FULL INTERVIEW HONE SADLER

Follow us on &

Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com

RELATED NEWS

Prime mātauranga Māori exponent dies in Utah Support for state funding private tertiary providers Marae programme up for youth awards