Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi Suspend Ngati Hine

At the Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi (the Runanga) monthly board meeting on 11th December 2011, Chairman, Raniera (Sonny) Tau ruled that Ngati Hine was suspended from the board until it held an AGM that complies with the requirements of the Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi constitution.

The decision had the full support of the board.

This follows the Runanga AGM, held in October, where Ngati Hine advised it had not convened an AGM and therefore had not appointed their board representative to the Runanga.

Because of extenuating circumstances, Ngati Hine was granted extra time to comply with the constitution. This window of opportunity was not taken up by Ngati Hine.

Mr Tau said the board will not interfere with who Takiwa and Taurahere appoint as long as the process meets the requirements of the Runanga constitution.

He said the Runanga has an election and appointment process in place that all Takiwa and Taurahere must comply with and to operate outside of that process exposes the board to potential litigation and sends mixed messages to Ngapuhi beneficiaries.

Said Mr Tau: “This decision was not taken lightly. Our process is democratic and robust. If Ngati Hine’s appointment of their representative meets the requirements of the constitution, they’re back sitting at the board table.”

A copy of the constitution of Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi can be found on the Te Runanga-a-Iwi-o Ngapuhi website.

ENDS

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