January 15, 2019
Ngāpuhi hapū keen to negotiate own settlements
A group claiming to represent coastal hapū around the southern Bay of Islands say they want to negotiate their own settlement.
A hui on Sunday at Kaingahoa Marae in Rawhiti said the Pēwhairangi coastal hapū of Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Ngāti Manu, Te Uri o Raewera, Te Uri Ongaonga, and Te Uri Karaka want to be considered a large natural grouping to progress their Treaty of Waitangi claims with the Crown.
It said the crown should immediately withdraw the mandate from Tūhoronuku, the body set up to negotiate the claims.
Neighbours Ngāti Hine also want to go it alone.
The Pewhairangi alliance could be seen as motivated by concern over being overwhelmed by Ngāti Hine’s agenda as much as the continuing distrust of Tūhoronuku.
Meanwhile, groups backing continuation of the Tūhoronuku mandate in some form are looking for ways to strengthen the role of hapū within that mandate.
Te Huranga Hohaia from Ngāti Rēhia, which hosted the first hui a hapū for Kia Anga Mua Ngā Hapū o Ngāpuhi on Sunday, says there is a commitment from at least 31 hapū to continue moving forward collectively.
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