November 15, 2017
Little gives fresh eyes on Ngapuhi raruraru
New Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says he will bring a fresh pair of eyes to the Ngapuhi claim.
Mr Little plans to meet the mandated negotiating body Tuhoronuku and its Te Kotahitanga opponents on Friday, followed by an open hui for tribe members at Waitangi on Saturday.
Former minister Christopher Finlayson yesterday blamed Tuhoronuku deputy chair and Ngapuhi Runanga chair Sonny Tau for the lack of progress, accusing him of bullying and breaking his word.
Mr Little says while he respects Mr Finlayson's experience, a fresh approach is needed.
"There's a lot of personality tied up in this, there's no question about it, but this has been a longstanding, difficult settlement to achieve, and for me right now it's about listening. It's about getting up there into the rohe and listening. I hear what Chris Finlayson says but we have got to get movement on this. We have got to get those Ngapuhi representatives, whatever form they take, around the table and talking so we can move towards a settlement," he says.
Mr Little says he will be accompanied to the north by Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
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