December 03, 2019
Ngapuhi claim to be negotiated in pieces
The Government is tearing up the mandate of Tūhoronuku Independent Mandate Authority to negotiate on behalf of Ngāpuhi and starting again.
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little says a mandate is not static, and the mandate Tūhoronuku previously held no longer provides for the kind of opportunities Ngāpuhi have told the crown they are seeking.
Tūhoronuku, which was set up by Te Rūnanga o Ngāpuhi, faced opposition from the outset from claimants who wanted the Waitangi Tribunal to complete its inquiries before any negotiations started.
It was never accepted by some hapū, in particular Ngāti Hine, which wanted to pursue separate settlements.
Mr Little and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta say they are now seeking proposals from groups from areas within Ngāpuhi about how takiwā-specific claims should be negotiated.
He says it has become apparent area-specific cultural redress is a bottom line for almost everyone involved.
However, there are still issues that are common to all hapū, over the next six months the Crown will work closely with Ngāpuhi groups to establish a new process for building new mandates for negotiations.
The government is also considering establishing a new Ngāpuhi sovereign investment fund to hold assets which could be used in any agreement for redress with Ngāpuhi.
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