Media Release
15 October 2012

Ngāpuhi Kaumātua And Kuia Confirm Continued Support For Tūhoronuku

Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia have overwhelmingly given their continued support to Tūhoronuku to progress the settlement of Ngāpuhi Te Tiriti o Waitangi grievances against the Crown.

This follows a Hui convened by Te Rōpū Kaumātua Kuia O Te Whare Tapu O Ngāpuhi in Kaikohe on Friday 12 October, attended by a large number of Kaumātua and Kuia from throughout Te Tai Tokerau.

Te Rōpū O Tūhoronuku (Tūhoronuku), the entity mandated by Ngāpuhi in September 2011 to represent them in settlement negotiations, was invited to provide an update on settlement progress, particularly following the recent release of the Government commissioned Te Ara Hou – A Proposed Strategy and Pathway to Settlement (also known as the Morgan Report).

Tūhoronuku Interim Chair Raniera (Sonny) Tau gave Kaumātua and Kuia an overview and analysis of the Morgan Report, which Tūhoronuku had referred to as “an insult to the mana of Ngāpuhi and being an amateurish attempt at re-engineering Ngāpuhi social and political structures.”

Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia were briefed on all recent matters surrounding the settlement, including Tūhoronuku’s representation structure and the role of Te Rūnanga Ā Iwi O Ngāpuhi.

At the conclusion of the Hui, robust discussion culminated with Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia instructing Tūhoronuku to:

• meet with the Crown to advance the advertising of the Tūhoronuku Deed of Mandate for public comment, which is the next step in the settlement process
• consider aspects of the Morgan Report that strengthen Ngāpuhi representation within the Tūhoronuku Deed of Mandate.

Mr Tau said Friday’s Hui had been both humbling and significant.

“It was Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia who instructed Ngāpuhi leadership to ‘get on with the settlement’ at the Rūnanga AGM in November 2008.”

“Since then we have spent four years, held more than 60 Hui, met with Ngāpuhi Hapū, whānau and Rōpū. The results of all that preliminary work resulted in Ngāpuhi overwhelmingly voting (76.4% of those who voted) to give their mandate to Tūhoronuku to negotiate a comprehensive settlement with the Crown. This occurred in September 2011.”

“We have given our commitment that we will continue to be directed by our Kaumātua and Kuia, whom we treasure for their wisdom and guidance in shaping the future for Ngāpuhi.”

“Those Hapū or claimants still disenchanted with how matters are developing in Ngāpuhi and want to move on need to contact Tūhoronuku to discuss whatever issues they have with a view to solving them.”

*At the Friday 12 October Hui, the following resolution was passed by Ngāpuhi Kaumātua and Kuia:

1. Receive the update report from Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku
2. Direct Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku to consider aspects of He Ara Hou that strengthen Ngāpuhi representation within the Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku Deed of Mandate
3. Direct Te Rōpū o Tūhoronuku to meet with the Crown to advance the advertising of the Deed of Mandate held by Tūhoronuku.

ENDS

© Scoop Media