July 24, 2018
Petty shots shouldn’t deter Little course
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little shouldn't be swayed by petty criticism of his efforts to reach a settlement with Ngāpuhi.
About 50 members of the new Ngāpuhi Taniwharau group marched on the Ngāpuhi Rūnanga offices in Kaikohe yesterday demanding the removal of chair Sonny Tau and the end of negotiations for a Ngāpuhi-wide settlement.
Marchers voiced strong criticism of the minister's dealing with Mr Tau.
Mr Jones says Mr Little has been working hard to resolved differences among the main Ngāpuhi factions so talks can resume.
He says critics within Ngāpuhi have been empowered by the Waitangi Tribunal's mandate report that proposed hapu have a greater role in treaty settlements.
"The Waitangi Tribunal has unfortunately developed an awful habit of poking its judicial nose into issues that have to do more with internal Māori politics and hapu factionalism than it has to do with crown obligations," Mr Jones says.
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