09 January 2006

Ngapuhi Leader Vows to Take Crown to Tribunal if Ngati Whatua Successful

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin has announced that he will consider making a Watangi Tribunal claim against the Crown if the current Ngati Whatua settlement process is successful.

‘Ngati Whatua ia about to accept millions of dollars from the Government for land that belongs to Tainui and Ngapuhi. If the proposed settlement led by Sir Hugh Kawharu succeeds, we will have no option but to initiate proceedings through the Tribunal for a breach of Article Two of the Treaty. What the Government will effectively be doing is stealing from Tainui and Ngapuhi to give to Ngati Whatua’, says Mr. Rankin.

Mr. Rankin, who is a spokesperson for the Matarahurahu hapu, and a descendent of the line of Hone Heke, spent the weekend with legal advisors, going through options if the proposed Ngati Whatua settlement proceeds.

‘If this settlement is approved by the Crown’, says Mr Rankin, ‘both the Government and Ngati Whatua will be reminded of the force of Ngapuhi, and the strength of feeling our iwi has for its land’.

ENDS

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