December 05, 2017
Little keen to engage with Ngapuhi hapu
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says he's heeding advice from the Waitangi Tribunal about the importance of hapu in treaty settlements.
Mr Little is heading north this weekend for six hui in two days to hear from claimants about how they think a dispute over the negotiating mandate can be resolved.
The mandate is currently held by Tuhoronuku, but it stood down its negotiators two years ago as the crown tried to respond to the tribunal's criticism it should pay more respect to hapu in the process.
"For Ngapuhi hapu rangatiratanga is vital and so having met with Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitangi, which has been really pushing for more hapu recognition, and having the public meeting a couple of weeksendss ago, I thought it was also important I get around the smaller hapu and the taiwhenua and talk to people at that sort of level," he says.
Mr Little will hold meetings in Kaeo, Ohaeawai, Moerewa, Omapere, Titoki and Whangarei.
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