November 14, 2017
Little keen to tackle Ngapuhi claims
New Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has moved quickly to get Ngapuhi back to the negotiating table.
Former Prime Minister Bill English suspended talks in June, saying he wanted the leaders of mandated negotiating body Tuhoronuku and its critics in Te Kotahitanga to get together and come up with a common approach so negotiations could resume after the election.
Instead Te Kotahitanga refused to engage and complained to the Waitangi Tribunal about Mr English's action.
Mr Little says the Ngapuhi treaty settlement is a top priority and he is keen to begin face to face meetings with the rangatira, key advisors and hapu before Christmas.
He will meet Tuhoronuku and Te Kotahitanga on Friday and attend an open hui at the Copthorne Waitangi on Saturday morning.
He says that will be just the first in a series of hui to meet, greet and listen to the people of Ngapuhi, with further hui set for December and February.
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