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A Whakatohea hapū is objecting to a poll aimed at getting clarity about how the eastern bay of Plenty iwi wants to deal with its historic treaty settlement.
The poll which opened yesterday and runs until October 26, asks members whether they want to continue the current process, re-mandate, or hold a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry.
Tim Herewini, the deputy chair of Ngāi Tamahaua, says it will have no credibility because it uses the same flawed voting roll used by the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board.
He says the crown rushed negotiations with the board-backed Whakatohea Claim Settlement Trust.
"It really did divide hapū and it set people against each other and it should really be done with consensus and unfortunately the government, it's got a big chequebook and it's not afraid to wave it around, and unfortunately some of our people just see dollar signs I think in my opinion anyway," Mr Herewini says.
Ngāi Tamahaua say the $100 million offered to Whakatohea is too low compared with the offer to Pare Hauraki, which has a similar population but lost less land.
Meanwhile the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board has welcomed findings of a Ministerial Investigation into its election.
Former Solicitor-General Michael Heron QC found there were no issues with the integrity of the Trust Board roll.
While some mistakes were made with the conduct of the election, they did not affect the outcome.
Board chair Robert Edwards says the Trust Board will work through his recommendations and implement them where needed, such as appointing an independent person to the role of Returning Officer.
Meanwhile the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board has welcomed findings of a Ministerial Investigation into its election.
Former Solicitor-General Michael Heron QC found there were no issues with the integrity of the Trust Board roll.
While some mistakes were made with the conduct of the election, they did not affect the outcome.
Board chair Robert Edwards says the Trust Board will work through his recommendations and implement them where needed, such as appointing an independent person to the role of Returning Officer.
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