The Te Rōpū Tūhono technical advisors have received the independent observer’s reports on the two hapū endorsement hui - Tekau i Mua held at Matawaia Marae, and Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Wharara and Te Pouka at Pakanae Marae, held on Sunday 25 November.

On the basis of the Te Puni Kokiri independent report received for the Tekau i Mua hapu endorsement hui, it is clear that the hui did not reach agreement on how Tekau i Mua would make its decision on the evolved mandate proposal. Te Rōpū Tūhono can not accept any decision that the hui facilitators and co-ordinators may report was made at the hui.

Furthermore, no motion was put or voted on in respect of the evolved mandate.

“If no agreement was reached by the hui on how to make decisions, then no decisions can be accepted by Te Rōpū Tūhono. Hapū tikanga is not our business to comment on but we are unable to accept results that go against the wishes of the hapū endorsement hui as recorded in the independent observer’s report,” said Willie Te Aho, Technical Adviser to Te Rōpū Tūhono.

Te Rōpū Tūhono have therefore decided to call another hapū endorsement hui for Tekau i Mua with an independent facilitator on 9 December.

“If this hui cannot decide on the decision-making process for the hapū, then Te Rōpū Tūhono will accept the outcome of the individual Ngāpuhi vote for those who identify as Tekau I Mua as the decision of the hapū on the evolved mandate proposal,” said Willy.

On the basis of the independent observer’s report on the hapū endorsement hui held at Pakanae Marae, there was “no confirmation of numbers voting yes or no’” and “no confirmation of verbal vote outcome”.

“While a motion was put at the hui it is not clear if the hui reached an agreement on whether it endorses the evolved mandate proposal or not. Te Rōpū Tūhono can not accept any decision other than that provided in the independent observers’ report.”

Hapū tikanga is not for Te Rōpū Tūhono to comment on and it is accepted that the tikanga of Pakanae is to reach agreement by consensus not vote on decisions. However, in this case there was no clear outcome on the hapū’s decision on the evolved mandate proposal.

“We can only be guided by Te Puni Kōkiri’s independent observers report and not the other reports various people present at the hui have provided us.”

Te Rōpū Tūhono has invited Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Wharara and Te Pouka to hold another hapū endorsement hui on 9 December so the hapū’s decision on the evolved mandate proposal can be clear to Te Rōpū Tūhono. “

“If this subsequent hui cannot reach a clear decision for the hapū or it cannot be called, then Te Rōpū Tūhono will accept the outcome of the individual Ngāpuhi vote for those who identify as Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Wharara and Te Pouka as the decision of the hapū on the evolved mandate proposal.”

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